Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc. is pleased to announce that Health Canada has approved its protocol for a clinical trial investigating its PPP001 drug as an alternative to the opioid fentanyl in the management of breakthrough cancer pain.

Tetra Bio-Pharma is a leader in cannabinoid-based drug discovery and development.

The clinical trial will be conducted by Montreal-based Sante Cannabis, a medical clinic and contract research organization specialized in clinical research for cannabis- based therapies.

The trial will measure the time-to-relief in patients suffering from breakthrough cancer pain. Based on its clinical data, Tetra believes that the pharmacodynamic properties of PPP001 may provide a novel faster acting alternative to the opioid fentanyl. The time-to-maximal plasma concentrations of the THC suggest that PPP001 will provide rapid relief to the patients suffering.

“Medical cannabis may help reduce the use of drugs like fentanyl for treating breakthrough and chronic pain. However, unrefuted scientific data on its safety and effectiveness that will satisfy regulators, professional groups and insurers is what’s missing,” said Dr. Guy Chamberland, Interim CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Tetra Bio-Pharma.

“Tetra is in the business of providing that evidence which would see our drug PPP001 become a complementary prescription therapy. We’ve taken a pharmaceutical pathway of drug development involving collaborative dialogue with Health Canada and the FDA to bring cannabis and cannabinoid products to market so that physicians, who have been hesitant to recommend it, will have a new, trusted therapeutic options for their patients.”

As a prescription drug with a Drug Identification Number (DIN) PPP001 will be eligible for insurance coverage, making the cannabis-based medication accessible in pharmacies thereby providing much easier access.