Prominent US cannabis physician Dr Bonni Goldstein has been named chief medical advisor at ASX-listed Neurotech International as the company pushes ahead with its broad-spectrum cannabinoid medicine targeting neurological conditions.
Neurotech called the appointment a "major step forward", with Goldstein bringing clinical expertise to the company's bid to register its drug, NTI164, in both Australia and the United States.
Neurotech's work centres on treating neurological conditions in children, a field in which Goldstein has built considerable experience over her career.
"Dr Golstein's clinical and advocacy expertise, particularly in cannabinoid-based therapeutic care, align perfectly with our mission to develop a safe, effective disease-modifying therapy for children with unmet medical needs," Neurotech chief executive Anthony Filippis said.
Goldstein, a past speaker at United in Compassion symposiums in Australia, spent 14 years practising paediatric emergency medicine before a personal encounter changed her direction — witnessing what she described as the "life changing benefits of medicine cannabis in a friend fighting cancer".
"That experience inspired me to shift my specialty to medical cannabis in 2008, and since then, I've had the privilege of treating over 20,000 patients, including many children with intractable epilepsy and severe autism," she has previously said.
"My patients have experienced life changing and in some cases, life saving benefits from cannabinoid based medications. I truly believe that anyone struggling from medical challenges deserves a chance to use cannabis to improve their quality of life."
Commenting on her new role, Dr Goldstein said NTI164 is showing "significant promise" and is gathering "excellent clinical data".
In her capacity as chief medical advisor, she will support Neurotech across regulatory strategy, clinical advancement, and patient advocacy.
Neurotech said in a statement that bringing on a healthcare professional of Dr Goldstein's standing "provides strong independent validation of Neurotech's innovative cannabinoid-based therapy".
The company recently released findings from the first human pharmacokinetics study of NTI164, which showed rapid and predictable absorption of the drug.
The study also established that CBDA was the dominant cannabinoid present, with THC detected at negligible levels, and found no significant cannabinoid accumulation.
