Florida Clinical Trials Company Testing First Drug for People With Cannabis Use Disorder

Miami-based clinical trial company Segal Trials, which operates a network of South Florida clinical research sites, announced a Phase 2B study to investigate a new drug designed to treat cannabis use disorder.

The drug under trial, AEF0117-202, was created by Aelis Farma and is the first clinical candidate in a new pharmacological class of drugs, sCB1-SSi, according to a press release. Under the randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial, the orally administered drug will be issued to a group of study participants while a second group will be given a placebo.

Segal Trials’ Chief Scientific Officer and Medical Director Rishi Kakar, MD, said in a press release that the drug will seek to help people who consume cannabis at least five days per week to “end their dependence” on the plant.

“Chronic marijuana use can drastically impact individuals’ social and professional lives in many ways, from poor work or school performance to mood disorders. This Phase 2B study gets us closer to the prospect of effectively treating people who want to end their reliance on cannabis but don’t have the tools to quit.” — Dr. Kakar, via press release

There is not currently an FDA-approved pharmacological treatment for people experiencing cannabis use disorder, which is described medically as the continued use of cannabis despite psychological, physical, or social impairments.