Nemus Bioscience Inc. has announced that the pro-drug of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in-licensed from the company's research and commercial partner, the University of Mississippi, has been granted a utility patent in Japan.

The patent refers to the composition of matter and preparation of delta-9 THC amino acid esters and their methods of use. The lead Nemus compound in development for glaucoma, NB1111, would fall under this patent umbrella.

"Nemus is delighted that this intellectual property has been recognized in Japan," commented Brian Murphy, who serves as both CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Nemus. "The Japanese therapeutics market is recognized as the world's second largest, behind that of the United States. Pharmaceutical sales from 2013 have been estimated at USD $113 billion and the management at Nemus recognizes the importance of this market in terms of urgent medical need by an aging population at risk for chronic and progressive eye disease."

"It is very gratifying to have the work of our research team at Ole Miss protected not only in the United States, but internationally as well," stated Dr. Mahmoud ElSohly, Professor at the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University. "Blindness arising from a debilitating disease like glaucoma needs to be addressed as the number of patients at-risk continues to increase around the world."

"We are pleased to be collaborating with Nemus as we work to leverage the benefits of a new class of cannabinoid-based therapies for the alleviation of disease burden on a global scale," said Dr. Soumyajit Majumdar, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery and Associate Dean for Research in the School of Pharmacy at the university.

"The potential neuroprotective qualities of cannabinoid molecules could hold extra benefit for the majority of Japanese glaucoma patients who suffer optic nerve damage while not experiencing elevated intraocular pressure."

"Nemus looks to further cannabinoid-based drug development in a planned ophthalmologic therapeutic franchise, in addition to developing parallel track compounds for systemic drug exposure for diseases outside of the eye," reported Dr. Murphy.

"The pleiotropic quality of cannabinoids makes them ideal for addressing ailments in multiple organ systems and the use of proprietary pro-drugs allows Nemus to develop molecules with better targeted bioavailability and pharmacokinetics."