Cardiol Therapeutics (TSX:CRDL, NASDAQ:CRDL) announced that study results have demonstrated an experimental model of pericarditis induces mesothelial to mesenchymal transition (MMT) and that this process is inhibited by cannabidiol treatment, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in its lead candidate, CardiolRx.
The study results were presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases (MPD2023), held on November 15 and 16, 2023, in Belgrade, Serbia.
Pericarditis is a rare and debilitating inflammatory heart disease known for reducing the quality of life and physical well-being of those affected.
MMT is a complex and stepwise biological process whereby a mesothelial cell, the main cell type lining internal organs and several of the body's internal cavities including the pericardium, undergoes molecular reprogramming.
Cardiol said the poster entitled "Cannabidiol Inhibits the Mesothelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Experimental Pericarditis" was presented for general viewing within the poster sessions of the MPD2023 Scientific Programme.
The company noted that the results presented are a continuation of a research collaboration between Cardiol and the University of Virginia, which previously reported at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2022 that cannabidiol reduces pericardial effusion and thickness in the same experimental model of pericarditis.
"We are intrigued by these new findings that further support an anti-fibrotic benefit of CardiolRx, in addition to its anti-inflammatory properties that were previously reported in this pre-clinical model," commented Cardiol Therapeutics (TSX:CRDL, NASDAQ:CRDL) chief medical officer and head of research & development Dr Andrew Hamer.
"Fibrosis is the basis of more severe long-term complications of recurrent pericarditis, for which no specific anti-fibrotic therapies are currently available, suggesting a potentially broader therapeutic benefit of CardiolRx.”
The company's shares rose 2.6% to C$1.17 by early afternoon in Toronto.
Cardiol is a clinical-stage life sciences company, dedicated to developing anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic therapies for heart disease treatment.
~Updated with share price movement~
Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com