Three months ago, AusCann (ASX: AC8) announced that it was beginning the process of applying for registration for DermaCann — a drug that would be the first (and only!) cannabinoid-based medication prescribed to dogs in Australia.
In the months since that announcement, AusCann has been pretty busy, as they just completed a clinical trial on DermaCann in the US. The trial, known as the Target Animal Safety (TAS) study, tested the safety of Dermacann over ninety days. It included 15 beagles in three groups:
- Group one = who were given no DermaCann (AKA the control group)
- Group two = who were given three times the recommended daily dose of DermaCann (so 3 mg per kilogram of body weight)
- Group three = who were given five times the recommended daily dose of DermaCann (so 5 mg per kilogram of body weight)
At the end of the trial, researchers found “no clinically relevant nor statistical differences” between the dogs in groups one, two and three. They determined this by assessing the dog’s food and water consumption, physical health, clinical presentation and blood.
Interestingly, researchers also found that the dogs in groups two and three experienced a mild increase in Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) — though they say this is a “well-documented response to CBD in humans and animals.”
As the trial was successful, AusCann will continue plans to bring the product to market.
However, the company must first submit two final data modules (Efficacy and Safety and Environment) to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Association (APVMA). AusCann is currently waiting on the final report from TAS to submit this — but expects to get the TAS report in late 2021.
The company has already submitted two of the other modules required (one in July and the other just recently) and the Toxicology Submission for DermaCann.
AusCann estimates that the first registrations for DermaCann in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand (AKA “SANZA”) will occur in late 2022. They also believe the demand for DermaCann will be huge, as an estimated 1.5 million dogs suffer from dermatological conditions across the three countries and the global canine skin and dermatitis industry is worth over $US1.5 billion (roughly $AU2 billion).
