TecSalud to carry out study for COVID-19 with cannabis derivative

TecSalud, in collaboration with the Canadian firm Cardiol Therapeutics, is running the first study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the semi-synthetic molecule CBD in patients with COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease.

This study, which is in phase 2b/3, is the first of its kind to be approved in Mexico. It uses a CBD compound from the cannabis plant with a high level of anti-inflammatory bioactivity. However, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it has no psychoactive effects.

The objective of this study is to prevent secondary cardiovascular complications in patients with COVID-19.

What is CBD or cannabidiol?

The cannabis plant has more than five hundred chemical compounds, called cannabinoids. These chemical compounds include CBD, which has been proven to have significant anti-inflammatory properties.

Cannabidiol is a chemical that does not contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient found in the cannabis plant.

30 Mexicans to be studied out of the 200 participants in the protocol

This study, written and developed by doctors from the Institute of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine at TecSalud’s Zambrano Hellion Hospital, will study 200 volunteers in Mexico, Canada, the USA, and Brazil.

TecSalud will start screening:

• 30 male and/or female patients;
• Over 18 years old;
• Who are in a non-critical condition;
• Who have a history of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular disease and/or risk factors, such as those over 65 years of age who are diabetic with hypertension.

“Today, we have a compound with anti-inflammatory properties that could reduce or limit myocardial complications in patients with moderate COVID-19 and whose therapeutic effect, in the future, could be extended to cardiovascular diseases and other conditions related to the inflammatory response.

Carrying out this study is a great step for future research,” said Dr. Guillermo Torre, Rector of TecSalud and Vice President of Research at Tecnológico de Monterrey.

“Today we have a compound with anti-inflammatory properties that could reduce or limit myocardial complications in patients with moderate COVID-19.” -Guillermo Torre

Counting on the therapeutic benefits of cannabidiol

“Holding this study in Mexico is the result of a great effort over more than 10 years by TecSalud, which will bring hope for people with cardiovascular problems.

Although it is just beginning, we must highlight its importance within the world of medicine since a new path is being opened to offer innovative therapeutic options that are available to the entire population,” said Dr. Servando Cardona, National Director of Clinical Research at TecSalud.

Dr. Gerardo García Rivas, Director of Translational Research at TecSalud said:

“We started preclinical studies in our laboratory a little over six years ago, observing the therapeutic benefits of CBD. As of now, we already have an idea of how this compound works to protect the heart cells.

It’s a great contribution for Mexico and the world: a molecule that was developed through in vitro studies and animal models until it was ready to treat patients. The use of this molecule in patients was approved by COFEPRIS and by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).”

Aiming to find new solutions and therapies in health

“One of the objectives of the study is to validate anti-inflammatory effects in patients with moderate COVID-19.

If the molecule manages to contain myocardial inflammation, it is also possible that it will be able to contain respiratory inflammation and stop it from evolving,” said Dr. Carlos Jerjes Sánchez, Director of Clinical Research at TecSalud’s Institute of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine.

“If the molecule manages to contain myocardial inflammation, it’s also possible that it can contain respiratory inflammation and stop it from evolving.”- Carlos Jerjes Sánchez

Finally, Dr. Guillermo Torre stressed the importance of TecSalud’s relationship with national and foreign companies to develop this type of compound:

“Interaction with public and private companies is very important. COVID-19 is a global health crisis and there is an urgent need to find solutions and new therapies for the benefit of humanity,” he said.

It should be noted that these types of high-impact projects and initiatives allow TecSalud to continue advancing towards a healthy culture based on: Well-being, Prevention, and Longevity, pillars on which the Institution aims to improve the quality of life for Mexicans.

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