CannTrust Holdings Inc. (CNTTF) Partners with McMaster University on Medicinal Cannabis Research For Chronic Pain

CannTrust Holdings Inc. (“CannTrust” or the “Company”, TSX: TRST), one of Canada’s leading and most trusted licensed producers of cannabis, announced today that it is pleased to collaborate with Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University (“McMaster”) in Hamilton, Ontario on upcoming medical research studies. Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster are known world-wide for innovation in education and research, and for its role in developing evidence-based medicine. This partnership strengthens CannTrust’s existing commitment to innovation and its contribution to generating evidence regarding the therapeutic use and clinical effectiveness of cannabinoids.

CannTrust will be working with the Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic of Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University, and the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care of McMaster University on a range of upcoming randomized placebo controlled clinical trials (RCT), representing the first Canadian University partnership for the Company. Utilizing CannTrust’s broad range of quality cannabis products, the first clinical trial, Cannabis Oil for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain Treatment (CONCEPT), is expected to begin this fall, with additional studies to follow.

The results of these studies will be crucial for researchers, health care practitioners and policy makers to use cannabinoids for designing more effective, safer treatment protocols and public health policies. Throughout the partnership, CannTrust will utilize its more than 40 years of pharmacy, healthcare experience and knowledge to help McMaster and Hamilton Health Sciences study the application of the Company’s products as treatment for various patient needs.

An analysis of CannTrust’s 48,000 existing customer profiles indicates that pain is one of the primary reasons for utilizing medical cannabis, highlighting the need for trials in this area. Through research at the Centre, CannTrust aims to help healthcare professionals and patients better understand the possible benefits of medical cannabis for those living with pain-related conditions, and beyond.

“We are honoured to begin this partnership as our organizations share very similar values. Also, it further advances our participation in research, innovation and customer education. We feel privileged by the role CannTrust can play in supporting these world-class researchers advance the understanding of medical cannabis,” says Eric Paul, CEO, CannTrust.

The Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic at Hamilton Health Sciences is one of the leading Academic Pain Clinics in Canada. It is an interdisciplinary clinic with expertise in the management and treatment of chronic pain.  As leaders in innovation and evidence based practices, the team works in collaboration with the patient, their family and referral sources.  Its goal is to support adaptive changes to improve daily functioning, productivity and overall quality of life.

The Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care (MGD IPRC) at McMasterwas established in 2004 through a generous gift from Michael G. DeGroote. The IPRC includes the National Pain Centre (2010) with its focus on best practice pain care and guideline creation and dissemination. The IPRC offers a broad range of research incorporating ‘bench to bedside’ pursuit of the understanding of pain and its treatment.