Press Release:
June 3, 2020
University of Maryland and bioRemedies MD partner in CBD discovery
Baltimore, MD (June 3, 2020) – A team led by the Ciaran Skerry, Ph.D., assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, partnered with bioRemedies MD to launch a pre-clinical study this week to examine whether cannabinoids (CBD) has anti-viral effects on cells infected with the COVID-19 virus in the laboratory. The researchers are utilizing a proprietary, custom-blended CBD formulated and produced by bioRemedies MD to understand the cannabinoid interactions surrounding respiratory diseases.
COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) disease requires both the uptake of the virus into human cells and the promotion of host hyper-inflammatory responses. The inflammatory pathology closely resembles that seen in previous coronavirus outbreak strain SARS-CoV-1 where an over-aggressive host response damages the airways in an effort to contain the viral spread. This response, however, leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and respiratory failure, the cause of death in approximately 70% of Covid-19 fatalities. With more than 55,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Maryland, the need for effective anti-inflammatory agents has continued to grow.
Canadian researchers have shown that CBD has shown promise as a treatment for COVID-19 by decreasing the concentration of particular enzymes in the mouth or upper airways needed to absorb the infection. In previous research, Dr. Skerry demonstrated that CBD had anti-inflammatory effects against bacterial infections. Specifically, the team found in preliminary findings that proprietary, custom-blended CBD formula can reduce two important inflammatory mediators: Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF) and Interferon-gamma (IFN-g) following a bacterial infection. TNF and IFN-g are important contributors to a wide variety of inflammatory disorders.
This new study will attempt to determine if CBD can reduce expression of host ACE2, a molecule the virus uses to enter mammalian cells. Follow-up studies will determine if CBD can dampen and the inflammatory response to COVID-19.
“We will test the ability of isolated CBD and full-spectrum CBD to reduce specific enzyme (ACE2) expression, subsequent viral uptake and to protect against the excessive inflammatory responses to the virus associated with lung damage and death,” said Dr. Ciaran Skerry from the University of Maryland.
“We are pleased to see the preliminary pre-clinical findings which will further support our clinical development pathway for various therapeutic areas. It is essential for medical based CBD companies to perform pre-clinical and clinical research to support their products. CBD will not be recognized as therapeutic treatment for diseases and conditions without performing the critical research,” said Dr. John Dombrowski, CMO, bioRemedies MD.
“bioRemedies MD is proud to partner with the University of Maryland School of Medicine, an advanced medical and scientific leader, to discover the possibilities in an impossible situation. As I like to say, it’s ‘all hands on deck’, for every facet of science to defend individuals during this pandemic. We are truly all in this together,” said Patrick Kelly, Managing Member for bioRemedies MD.
About bioRemedies
bioRemedies MD was founded to provide hemp-derived, cannabidiol (CBD) products, manufactured according to FDA guidelines, in a pharmaceutical setting. The end product of CBD from bioRemedies MD is proven to be clean, safe, and natural for anyone. bioRemedies MD uses all organic, CO2 extracted, full-spectrum, hemp-derived CBD. CO2 extraction, which uses carbon dioxide under high pressure, and extremely low temperatures to preserve the full-spectrum CBD oil, is generally recognized as the safest, and most efficient means of extraction. For more information visit https://bioremediesmd.com/.
For more information, call 410-340-5360. TTY users, please call via Maryland Relay 7-1-1. Alternative formats are available upon request.