Tilray Receives Support For Medical Cannabis Innovation

Tilray Receives Support For Medical Cannabis Innovation

We’re excited to announce that Tilray received research funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to support product development and other research projects. The NRC IRAP provides assistance to Canadian businesses to undertake technology innovation through a comprehensive suite of innovation services and funding. 

“Tilray is committed to advancing our scientific understanding of medical cannabis to benefit patients with a diverse array of conditions,” said Dr. Joshua Eades, Tilray’s Chief Science Officer. “We are honoured to receive this funding from the NRC IRAP to support our research. The National Research Council’s generous support will enable our team to develop innovative products and formulations to address the needs of our growing patient community.” 

Tilray’s NRC IRAP funding will support a variety of projects related to Tilray’s comprehensive product development program. These projects include the development of novel products such as transdermal patches and topical formulations; the development of novel formulations with improved pharmacokinetic profiles; in-house development work; and clinical pharmacokinetic studies. The funding will also allow Tilray to hire additional researchers dedicated to supporting these projects. 

Tilray takes tremendous pride in its clinical, patient-centric approach to production, manufacturing and research. In December 2016, the company became the first medical cannabis producer in North America to be Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified. GMP certification is the most rigorous standard that manufacturers of medical products must meet in their production processes. GMP certification “provides regulators and health care providers in countries new to medical cannabis with certainty that Tilray products are the safe and smart choice,” added Dr. Eades. 

GMP certification also allows Tilray to break new ground in clinical research through partnerships with world-leading hospitals and universities. In Canada, Tilray supports clinical trials focused on pediatric epilepsy at SickKids Hospital, post-traumatic stress disorder at the University of British Columbia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at McGill University Health Centre. In Australia, Tilray has partnered with the University of Sydney and New South Wales Government to study medical cannabis as a treatment for symptoms of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Tilray also plans to announce additional research partnerships in the new year.