Cannabidol eyedrop can penetrate posterior chamber

An animal study shows that an analog of cannabidiol (CBD), formulated as an eyedrop, can enter the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye.

Co-developers Nemus Bioscience and the University of Mississippi are also developing a tetrahydrocannabinol prodrug for the treatment of glaucoma. CBD is one of more than 60 compounds found in cannabis that belong to a class of molecules called cannabinoids. Studies suggest that cannabinoids exert multiple effects on the human body, including the optic nerve.

The California-based biotech firm did not provide any further details on the study design or results, but said that the drug candidate could have clinical utility across a spectrum of eye pathology, particularly those associated with the posterior compartment of the eye.

"Historically, CBD has shown promise as both an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent in in vivo model systems of eye disease," stated Soumyajit Majumdar, PhD, Professor of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery and Associate Dean for Research in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Mississippi and lead scientist of the ophthalmology program. "Potential uses for this analog of CBD include uveitis and dry eye syndrome in the anterior compartment of the eye, and diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration in the posterior compartment. We look forward to further formulation refinement of this molecule into a form that is optimized for development as a commercialized drug."