Cannabix Technologies Files FAIMS Cannabis Detection Patent - Enters into License Agreement with University of Florida and Provides Technology Update
Vancouver, British Columbia, April 16, 2018: Cannabix Technologies Inc.(CSE: BLO, OTC PINK: BLOZF) (the “Company”) developer of the Cannabix Marijuana Breathalyzer for law enforcement and the workplace, is pleased to report it has filed a Patent Cooperation Treaty (“PCT”) application titled, “Device and Method for Detection of Cannabis and Other Controlled Substances Using FAIMS” (PCT/CA2017/000042). This PCT covers intellectual property related to earlier versions of the Cannabix Marijuana Breathalyzer. Under its relationship with the University of Florida (“the University”), the Company has entered into a second license agreement with the University for PCT application CA2017/000042. The agreement provides Cannabix exclusive worldwide rights in the area of breath analysis of controlled substances. Cannabix is developing an innovative FAIMS (field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry) based instrument for the detection of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol in human breath.
In recent months the Company has been characterizing its Beta 3.0 Cannabix Marijuana Breathalyzer prototype performance measures both independently and coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS), in preparation for expanded field testing. This work has led to the design and development of several improvements to the device which are now being incorporated. The characterizing work has focused on better separation of several analytes in human breath that are similar in molecular mass and geometry to THC. Testing has included further temperature characterization and flow control. A unique gating system has been developed that allows switching between the standalone FAIMS detector and a conventional MS enabling rapid alternation between both mechanisms during a single breath, proving enhanced analysis capability.
THC and related metabolite characterization
Marijuana contains several cannabinoids in addition to ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”). Many of these have shorter half-lives and are metabolized in the body relatively quickly. THC can be detectable in blood for weeks, whereas metabolites such as 11-hydroxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and 11-nor-9-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol are only detectable for a few hours after consumption of cannabis. The Cannabix FAIMS device has demonstrated the detection of THC and related metabolites in MS-coupled testing. The detection of THC and its metabolites in human breath provides for real-time pharmacokinetic analysis. Such analysis provides a method for the identification of “recency of use” and also provides analysis of frequent users of marijuana who tend to retain THC in their body for longer periods of time, relative to infrequent marijuana users who tend to clear THC from their body more quickly. This data and analysis will be important for an eventual court approved device, furthermore, 11-nor-9- carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol is the primary metabolite from the liver, which is prevalent from the consumption of edibles. Cannabix scientists are working quickly to complete this characterization stage.
The Company also reports that it has renewed its ongoing research agreement for 2018 with the Dr. Yost lab at the University of Florida.
About Cannabix Technologies Inc.
Cannabix Technologies Inc. is a leader in marijuana breathalyzer development for law enforcement and the workplace. Cannabix has established breath testing technologies in the pursuit of bringing durable, portable hand-held tools to market to enhance detection of marijuana impaired driving offences on roads at a time when marijuana is becoming legal in many jurisdictions globally. Cannabix is working to develop drug-testing devices that will detect THC- the psychoactive component of marijuana that causes intoxication- using breath samples. This technology would be used to provide detection of use of THC at the roadside to identify drivers intoxicated by the recent use of marijuana. In particular, Cannabix is focused on developing breath testing devices for detection of recent use of THC, in contrast to urine testing for THC metabolite that requires an invasive collection and reflects use days or even weeks earlier. The devices will also be useful for other practical applications such as testing employees in the workplace where intoxication by THC can be hazardous.
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