Oxford University Starts Research on Marijuana

Researchers at Oxford University and Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies started a new study on understanding the potential of marijuana to treat different diseases such as cancer and chronic pain. The initial funding of £10 million from Kingsley Capital Partners, a London-based venture capital firm, will be used to identify new medical therapies through research on the molecular, cellular, and systems mechanisms of cannabinoids. At present, marijuana is not yet legal in the U.K.

"Cannabinoid research has started to produce exciting biological discoveries and this research program is a timely opportunity to increase our understanding of the role of cannabinoids in health and disease. This field holds great promise for developing novel therapeutic opportunities for cancer patients," said Ahmed Ahmed, Professor of Gynaecological Oncology at Oxford.

"Medical cannabis and cannabinoid medicine is already helping patients with some of the most distressing conditions across the world. However, research into the specific pathways and mechanisms that create this benefit is limited and long overdue. Through OCT, we hope our strategic partnership with Oxford will support the development of innovative new therapies to help millions of people around the world. The partnership gives the UK a global leadership role in this fast-growing field," said Neil Mahapatra, Managing Partner of Kingsley.

Aside from the conduct of research, Oxford and Kingsley will also host an International Cannabinoid Biomedicine Conference in the fourth quarter of 2017 to increase the dialogue in the cannabinoid research space.

Read the press release from Oxford University.