Cannabis Science, Inc. Appoints Michael McGrath, MD, PhD, Professor, Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Pathology, and Medicine, UCSF, and Co-Founder of Biotechs Pathologica LLC and Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals, to the Company's Scientific Advisory Board
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., March 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cannabis Science, Inc. (NASDAQ OTC: CBIS) Cannabis Science announced today the appointment of Dr. Michael McGrath MD, PhD, Professor, Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Pathology, and Medicine at The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) to the Company's Scientific Advisory Board. He has authored over 100 scientific articles in the fields of AIDS, cancer and neurological disease since joining UCSF in 1985 and has recurring NIH funding to support his research programs in excess of $1.5M per year.
Dr. Michael McGrath is co-founder of Pathologica LLC and Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals, both privately held companies involved in developing therapeutic approaches for the treatment of various chronic diseases. Pathologica is developing a novel approach to the treatment of HIV disease, its lead drug candidate, PA-300, targeting HIV reservoirs in macrophages implicated as a cause of HIV related neurologic disease, cardiovascular disease and various forms of cancer. UCSF and Pathologica received approximately $10M from the NIH to perform all of the preclinical studies required by the FDA for administering PA300 to humans, with clinical trials targeted to begin in 2013. Dr. McGrath and colleagues raised $17M in 2009 to fund Neuraltus' phase 2 clinical trial in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using NP001 in early 2013, the first macrophage targeted approach for Lou Gehrig's disease.
"The scientific and drug development communities are just now appreciating the role that macrophage activation and inflammation play in the pathogenesis of human chronic diseases such as AIDS and cancer. The appropriate use of cannabinoids in patients with pathogenic immune abnormalities such as those present in AIDS and cancer patients, will allow critical evaluation of the role that cannabinoid receptor regulation might play as a novel approach to the treatment of these diseases," stated Dr. McGrath.
Dr. McGrath maintains an extensive resume spanning more than three decades with a strong focus on HIV and oncology. Dr. McGrath's career in HIV began early in the HIV epidemic as Assistant Professor of Medicine, AIDS/Oncology Division, University of California, San Francisco/San Francisco General Hospital in 1985. In the same year he began serving as an ad hoc grant reviewer for the NIMH, NCI, NIAID and the VA and joined the Scientific Advisory Board for The American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR) where he continues to serve.
Since joining the staff of the UCSF in 1985, Dr. McGrath has held numerous positions at USCF including Assistant Professor of Laboratory Medicine UCSF/SFGH, Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Medicine UCSF/SFGH and Associate Professor of Pathology UCSF/SFGH.
Dr. McGrath earned his Bachelor's of Science (BS) at the University of Minnesota in 1974 in Biology. He obtained his Medical degree (MD) in 1980 at Stanford University School of Medicine and his PhD in Cancer Biology in 1985 at Stanford University School of Medicine.
"Cannabis Science is pleased to have Dr. McGrath on our team. Dr. McGrath's experience and expertise meld the academic research environment with entrepreneurship and commercialization. He exemplifies the relationships that Cannabis Science is developing to facilitate our drug development efforts," stated Dr. Robert Melamede, President and CEO of Cannabis Science.
Cannabis Science is in the process of building a distinguished Scientific Advisory Board, adding to their Board of Directors, and appointing a Chief Medical Officer and a new Chief Scientific Officer. The Company expects to begin initial regulatory review for consideration by federally sponsored clinical research networks in parallel to the Company's own investigations. Dr. McGrath's appointment will provide the Company with invaluable guidance as it undertakes unprecedented studies towards the commercialization of medicinal cannabinoids.
About CS-TATI-1
Cannabis Science's CS-TATI-1 research program will be targeted to newly diagnosed patients infected with drug resistant virus, treatment experienced patients with drug-resistant HIV strains, and those intolerant of currently available therapies. Cannabis Science will be pursuing a wide range of NIH based Federal Research Programs such as RO1's, PO1's and SBIRS which exist to support preclinical development of target validation and proof of concept studies. These studies will be implemented through collaborations with leading scientific institutions. Cannabis Science will also be pursuing other clinical research collaborations including the AIDS Clinical Trials Groups (ACTG), the Canadian AIDS Trial Network (CATN) and the European AIDS Trial Network (EATN).
About CS-S/BCC-1
Cannabis Science is currently working to develop preclinical investigations of CS-S/BCC-1 treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinomas. The Company has begun preclinical investigations, which are being initiated in Europe for Squamous/Basal Cell carcinomas and Kaposi's Sarcoma based on inhibition of carcinogenicity utilizing cannabinoids that have been demonstrated in recent studies to significantly affect tumor necrosis.
About Cannabis Science, Inc.
Cannabis Science, Inc. is conducting cannabinoid research and development for unmet medical needs. The Company works with leading experts in HIV drug development, medicinal characterization, and clinical research to develop, produce, and commercialize Phytocannabinoid-based pharmaceutical products. Cannabis Science is currently working with CBR International to develop a Pre-IND Application to the FDA that focuses on the use of CS-S/BCC-1 topical cannabis-based preparations for the treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinomas.
Forward Looking Statements
This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing works such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs. Cannabis Science, Inc. does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements.