Receptor Life Sciences has announced the appointment of Orrin Devinsky, M.D., as the company’s Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Devinsky joins Andrea Leone-Bay, Ph.D., Receptor’s Chief Scientific Officer. Together Dr. Devinsky and Dr. Leone-Bay will lead the development of Receptor’s best-in-class oral and inhaled cannabinoid products.

Receptor Holdings, Inc has exclusively licensed drug delivery technologies characterized by high bioavailability, rapid onset of action and lower variability and is applying these technologies to the burgeoning field of cannabinoid therapy. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Receptor Life Sciences, is focused on the development of cannabinoid drugs regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Receptor Holdings also plans to introduce its disruptive technologies to the non-prescription cannabinoid markets that are developing in Canada, Europe and elsewhere.

Dr. Devinsky is the Director of the NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center and the Saint Barnabas Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery. He is also a Professor of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuroscience and Psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine. In the field of cannabinoid research, He served as the lead investigator for the development of GW Pharmaceuticals' Epidiolex (cannabidiol, or CBD) for the treatment of convulsive seizures in patients with Dravet Syndrome and drop seizures in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, rare and severe forms of childhood-onset epilepsy. Dr. Devinsky is a recognized authority on the treatment of epilepsy in adults and children.

Dr. Leone-Bay is the former Vice President and Head of Pharmaceutical Development for MannKind Corporation. She is an internationally recognized authority on dry powder inhalation and oral drug delivery technologies. Dr. Leone-Bay brings unparalleled formulation expertise, nearly 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals, and 93 U.S. patents. She has extensive drug development experience, managing projects from inception through development and commercialization for regulated drug products and drug-device combinations.

"We are delighted to have Orrin and Andrea leading Receptor Life Sciences," said Greg Wesner, CEO of parent company Receptor Holdings. "Orrin’s clinical experience in cannabinoid medicine, together with Andrea’s unparalleled expertise in drug delivery and development, are critical to Receptor’s success in developing and commercializing our products."

“Bringing these proven technologies to market provides patients with treatment options that are precise, consistent, and rapid in onset. These products represent an enormous advance in the clinical value of cannabinoid medicines," said Dr. Devinsky. "Joining the Receptor team will allow me to leverage my experience and knowledge in cannabinoid medicine towards the development of new indications using products with excellent pharmacologic profiles."

“The application of advanced oral and inhaled drug delivery technologies to cannabinoid drugs will provide patients with best-in-class therapies for a variety of clinical indications. I’m excited to be leading these development programs with Dr. Devinsky and look forward to bringing safe and effective treatments to patients in need,” said Dr. Leone-Bay.