Calnibic: Cannabis-Derived Molecule for Arrhythmia Treatment and/or Prevention
Advantages
- Natural compound.
- Dual action on Ca²⁺ handling, from sparks to wave modulation in cardiomyocytes derived from patients.
- First-in-class therapy for atrial fibrillation.
- Oral administration preferable.
- Favorable ADME properties demonstrated in non-rodent mammals.
- No serious adverse effects expected.
- Scalable and cost-effective.
Goal
The teams are looking for a license agreement, but other collaborations may be considered.
Patent
EPO application 25th of November of 2024
Reference
UBTT0520
Contact
Vicenç Gómez
Email: vgomez@fbg.ub.ed
Inma Íñiguez
Email: iiniguez@fbg.ub.ed
Calnibic: Cannabis-Derived Molecule for Arrhythmia Treatment and/or Prevention
Executive summary
A collaboration between a laboratory with experience in calcium handling and another with wide experience on G protein-coupled receptor pharmacology, has led to the discovery of a Cannabis sativa-derived molecule for arrhythmia.
The teams are looking for a license, but other collaborations may be considered.
Introduction
Arrhythmias are conditions in which the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly, often leading to serious health consequences. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most serious type, affecting 2–3% of the population and increasing the risk of stroke, heart failure, and dementia. For this specific disease there is not any specific drug. Ventricular fibrillation (VFib), though less common, is life-threatening and can cause sudden cardiac arrest. Current treatments range from lifestyle changes and medications to implanted devices, but limitations in safety, efficacy, and tolerability persist. There is a clear need for improved, well-tolerated therapeutic options that can effectively prevent or treat arrhythmias and their associated complications.
Description
Calnibic is a natural product with the potential to revert abnormal calcium handling displayed by cardiomyocytes from atrial fibrillation patients. It may also reverse the abnormalities found in other types of arrhythmias. It was discovered via a rational approach consisting of allosterically targeting a specific GPCR that originates and/or contributes to worsening calcium-related abnormalities when activated either constitutively or by the endogenous agonist.
By reducing the frequency and intensity of calcium sparks and waves, Calnibic helps restore normal cellular activity and sinus rhythm. It can be taken orally and may be administered alone or alongside other pharmacological agents, either sequentially or simultaneously. With potential applications in both acute intervention and long-term management, Calnibic offers a targeted, flexible, and innovative approach to treating conditions driven by disrupted calcium dynamics.
Current stage of development
Has the capacity to reverse and prevent arrhythmic cellular processes in ex vivo models of AFib and VFib.