Two months ago, the first studies of a newfangled supplement on novel coronavirus patients began in earnest in Israel.
Now, the U.S. is taking its own clinical research stab at finding whether CBD oil may have anti-viral properties appropriate for treating the global outbreak of COVID-19.
According to WJZ 13, a CBS affiliate in Baltimore, the University of Maryland’s medical school is currently entering clinical trials in partnership with the CBD company BioRemediesMD to examine the anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties of CBD with regard to the virus.
COVID-19 has killed hundreds of thousands worldwide and no known cure or treatment exists. Health experts have forecasted that they may have a vaccine for the disease as early as January 2021, but such processes are plagued with scientific and regulatory hurdles.
The Baltimore Business Journal reports that Canada’s University of Lethbridge will also provide subjects, researchers and data for the project.
"CBD will not be recognized as a therapeutic treatment for diseases and conditions without performing the critical research,” Dr. Jon Dombrowski said in a statement, according to the Business Journal.
Israeli firm Stero Biotechs previously announced the first-of-its kind small-scale study on April 20. The CBD company is collaborating with the Rabin Medical Center Golda HaSharon Campus to conduct the research.
According to High Times, Stero Biotechs has spent the last three years since its founding researching CBD in clinical settings to better understand its medical and wellness benefits.
In the context of COVID-19, speed and agility are of the essence for researchers, and this new clinical trial starts immediately on 10 patients at the Tel Aviv campus.
“Hospitalized COVID-19 patients are mostly being treated with steroids and our study is planned to demonstrate the benefit of a combined solution with Steroid treatments,” Stero CEO David Bassa told High Times. “We are hopeful that this study will lead to faster benefit for the growing number of COVID-19 patients in Israel and around the world.”
With international attention and scientific resources heading to CBD solutions, there is hope that some form of treatment may be found, but roadblocks and uncertainty are the mark of this young research effort.
“As I like to say, it’s ‘all hands on deck’, for every facet of science to defend individuals during this pandemic. We are truly all in this together,” Patrick Kelly of BioRemediesMD said in a statement, according to the Business Journal.
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