Zelda Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:ZLD) has expanded its pre-clinical research program with Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, which is part of Curtin University.
The company’s research will now include diabetes-related cognitive decline.
There will be a focus on studying the effect of a cannabinoid-based therapeutic moderating the effects of cerebral capillary damage associated with diabetes.
Executive chairman Harry Karelis said: “This study has potential to demonstrate that daily dosing of certain cannabinoids can provide some type of long-term benefit to diabetes sufferers and moderate the effect of capillary damage – at least in validated animal models.”
Links with other conditions such as dementia
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
This can lead to a number of complications including damage to blood vessels in the brain, associated with cognitive decline that can lead to dementia and other conditions.
Globally in 2017, 50 million people suffered from dementia alone, and the risk of developing dementia for people with diabetes is 2.77-fold greater than the healthy population.
Research study could lead to commercialisation
Zelda’s research study will occur in validated animal models of diabetic cognitive decline developed by Curtin University and led by Associate Professor Ryu Takechi.
The study will occur over the next 12-18 months and positive results would allow Zelda to consider commercialisation opportunities of cannabinoid-based medicines.
Karelis said: “The market for cannabis-based therapeutics and wellness products is growing very rapidly.
“Positive results in this study will open up a significant market opportunity for Zelda.”
From a marketing perspective, Zelda will focus on jurisdictions where there is a clear pathway to market and access to distribution partners.
Dementia market valued at US$1 trillion
Diabetes-associated cognitive decline is a rapidly growing market, with the number of dementia sufferers expected to almost double every 20 years, reaching 75 million in 2030.
In 2018, the global cost of dementia is expected to rise above US$1 trillion.
As such, any treatment option shown to provide some form of protective benefit is likely to be a significant relief for potential suffers and a global economic benefit.
READ: Zelda Therapeutics receives approval for US autism study
This development comes less than a week after the company received approval from the Institutional Review Board for its autism project to be conducted at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in the US.