113 Botanicals scientists working in the lab

The University of Sussex is working in partnership with local drug development company, 113 Botanicals, to successfully develop a new extraction method and approved cannabinoid-based pharmaceutical products, a significant breakthrough in cannabinoid-based treatments.

There is substantial evidence that cannabinoid-based therapies can support a number of chronic illnesses in adults, including mitigating some of the side effects of Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, and in alleviating inflammation caused by COVID-19-induced sepsis. Many cannabinoid-based therapies are sold as wellness products, but only two are currently sold as approved pharmaceutical products; GW Pharmaceuticals’ Epidiolex and Sativex, which are based on either smoking, vaping or under the tongue sprays. At a time in which the wellbeing world is underregulated and often difficult to navigate, there is a need for safer and more reliable treatments.

Through an ongoing collaboration with the Department of Chemistry and the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre (SDDC) at the School of Life Sciences, 113 Botanicals have developed a new extraction method that allows the oils from the cannabis plant to be used without the need for further purification. These oils are then formulated into easily ingestible capsules. It is the first time this has been done, and it will allow doctors to accurately prescribe a safer and more effective replacement to what is currently in the market.

113 Botanicals harnesses scientific expertise in plant extraction engineering and medicinal biotechnology to innovate in the field of cannabis-based pharmaceutical medicines (CBPMs). The research partnership with the University of Sussex brings together a multidisciplinary team that uses state of the art facilities to develop new cannabinoids products for better patient treatments.

John Spencer, Professor of Bioorganic Chemistry and Director of Sussex Drug Discovery Centre at the School of Life Sciences says: “This venture started as a chat over a coffee with Dr Maz Nicola and Dr Sue Baxter’s team and then a journey leading to the first Home Office licence of its type at the University. We built a lab and an extraction rig from scratch, thanks to the technical savvy of Dr Dan Guest, a Sussex Chemistry alumnus, lately in the Spencer/Greenland labs, and now the Lead Scientist at 113 Botanicals. To see something develop from concept to reality, especially given its medical relevance and societal impact, is all the more rewarding.”

Dr Barny Greenland, Senior Lecturer in Medical Chemistry at the School of Life Sciences, comments on the future of this collaboration: ‘With the help of Sussex Innovations, we have been able to maintain a productive relationship with 113 Botanicals over many years, which has underpinned the success of the project. I am excited to be able to continue our involvement during the next phase where we move towards scale-up and manufacturing of the products developed in our labs at the Chemistry Department at Sussex.”

Mazin Nicola, Chief Technical Officer at 113 Botanicals, adds: “My personal connection to the University of Sussex goes back many years and I have always had the highest regard for the quality and integrity of the School of Life Sciences’ research work as well as the dedication and formidable reputation of the staff members involved. Therefore, we had no hesitation in choosing Sussex as our collaboration partner. Our faith has so far been fully justified. We at 113 Botanicals look forward to the next phase of our collaboration”.