Cronos Group to research cannabinoid-based skin treatments

Canada-based Cronos Group has signed a sponsored research agreement with Technion Israel Institute of Technology’s subsidiary Technion Research & Development Foundation (TDRF).

Under the agreement, the companies will explore the use of cannabinoids for the treatment of skin conditions.

For three years, TDRF will carry out preclinical studies focusing on treatments for acne, psoriasis and skin repair.

TDRF’s laboratory of cannabis and cancer research head Dr David Meiri and laboratory of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine head Dr Yaron Fuchs will lead the research, which will be developed and executed at its Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabis Research and Lorry I. Lokey Interdisciplinary Center of Life Sciences and Engineering in Haifa, Israel.

Cronos Group’s CEO Mike Gorenstein said: “We believe that the potential applications of cannabinoids to regulate skin health and treat skin disorders are vast and we are excited to begin exploring these applications through our partnership with TDRF.

“Using rigorous data to develop efficacious topical and transdermal formulations will be key to creating differentiated products that provide quality treatments to our consumers and strengthen our brand portfolio.”

The planned research will use Dr Meiri’s cannabis strain database of more than 80 cultivars and Cronos Group’s strain-specific cannabis oils to separate and examine the effects of individual and combinations of cannabinoids in the treatment of acne, psoriasis and wounds.

It will also use stem cell-derived organoid cultures developed by Dr Fuchs’ laboratory and mouse models.

Results of the research are expected to help Cronos Group to use individual and combinations of cannabinoids to develop products for acne, psoriasis and skin repair.