Catalent enters CBD anaesthetic product formulation project

The company will use its orally disintegrating tablet technology Zydis for JOS Pharmaceuticals' licensed CBD product

JOS Pharmaceuticals has secured the services of Catalent to undertake a feasibility study for the potential development of a licensed cannabidiol (CBD) product for use as an anaesthetic premedication using the CDMO's proprietary Zydis orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) technology.

Zydis technology creates a freeze-dried tablet that disperses almost instantly in the mouth without water, and is touted by the company as an easy and convenient route of administration for patients that can also assist in the rapid onset of effects.

In the feasibility study, scientists at Catalent’s 250,000-sq. ft facility in Swindon, UK, will focus on establishing proof of concept and prototype development of a Zydis formulation of a highly purified, naturally derived CBD.

JOS Pharmaceuticals,  a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on anesthesiology, extracts CBD from certified hemp and is developing its se•d8 prescription CBD wafer for awake sedation anesthesia administered for cataract surgery, as well as anxiolysis during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures.

Stephen D. Ochs, CEO of JOS Pharmaceuticals said the company has specifically designed the clinical trial product to provide "rapid and reliable relaxation" for patients, while still enabling "awake cooperation" during procedures.