Clinical trials involving cannabis-based medicines have grown at a dramatic pace since 2010, according to a new report from Prohibition Partners.
Just eight clinical trials worldwide were conducted using the medicine as a treatment for conditions like diabetes and anxiety back in 2010. By 2022, that figure had climbed to 60 new trials — a 650% rise — and 49 further trials had already commenced in the current year, with additional ones still to come.
Among the 440 clinical trials reviewed, nearly half — 202 in total — focused on pain arising from conditions such as fibromyalgia, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases including Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
Recent years have also brought a steady rise in trials investigating the potential of cannabis and cannabinoids as treatments for mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.
When it comes to patents, epilepsy, cancer and related conditions, seizures, and autism spectrum disorder were among the most frequently cited areas in the patent record.
Completed phase III trials were dominated by clinical studies featuring the patented compounds Sativex and Epidiolex.
A wide range of cannabinoids featured across the medicines examined, though just over one third of trials used a combination of THC and CBD.
Lawrence Purkiss, senior analyst at Prohibition Partners and co-author of the report, said: "Looking at the development of clinical trials in cannabis over the last decade gives great insight into the potential breakthroughs in the space in the coming years.
"From analysing the patent landscape in conjunction with the clinical trials record, it's clear that the possibilities for further cannabinoid-based treatments are incredibly broad, with significant interest already in specific areas."
Prohibition Partners estimated that global sales across the pharmaceutical cannabis industry will reach approximately US$1.11 billion in 2023, with that figure forecast to grow to $1.37b by 2027.
