Victorian-based biotech company Medigrowth has answered some questions about its partnership with Deakin University, alongside researchers from Swinburne, to assess the potential benefits of medical cannabis for young autism patients.
Can you tell us a bit about Medigrowth’s involvement in the new medicinal cannabis trials for children with autism?
Medigrowth is excited to be collaborating with Deakin University in medicinal cannabis research, including this groundbreaking research utilising Medigrowth CBD. Our goal is to explore how medicinal cannabis can help children and their families who are dealing with challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder. We believe these trials are a significant step forward in offering more treatment options for children and parents who need it.
The idea of using medicinal cannabis in pediatric treatment is still a relatively new concept. What makes this research particularly important for children living with challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder. It’s a new frontier in paediatric care, and that’s what makes this research so exciting.
There can be a wide range of issues associated with autism. ADHD and anxiety are common in children with autism, as well as issues with sleep, emotional regulation issues, communication and social challenges – but traditional treatments don’t always work for all patients, and some come with the risk of significant side effects. Our research partnership aims to understand how medicinal cannabis can offer a safer, and in some cases, a more effective alternative. Our aim is to help children manage such challenges more comfortably and improve their quality of life.
How do the trials work and what do you hope to achieve?
The trials involved children aged 5 to 12 years, a double- blind crossover trial with matched placebos, so participants were not sure if they were taking an active or placebo dose. Researchers were interested to see if Medigrowth CBD offered improved social functioning and improvements in anxiety, along with reducing parental stress within the family unit.
The trials involve carefully controlled doses, where data is gathered to get a comprehensive view of the effects. What we hope to achieve is a clearer understanding of whether medicinal cannabis can be a viable and well tolerated treatment option for children, particularly those who haven’t responded well to traditional pharmaceutical treatments.
What about critique on using medicinal cannabis for children with autism?
As with any emerging treatment, there is bound to be a degree of critique. While early research shows promising results for medicinal cannabis in treating challenges associated with autism, the scientific community has expressed valid concerns regarding limited large-scale clinical trials, and inconsistent formulations across studies.
We must balance cautious optimism with rigorous scientific scrutiny and continue pursuing high-quality evidence to ensure both safety and efficacy – which is why Medigrowth is committed to gold standard research and collaborations with top tier Australian Universities.
As the research is currently in the peer review stage, what comes next? And how does Medigrowth then expand access to medicinal cannabis for children?
The results are extremely promising. The research is currently under peer review, and we have plans to continue the trial in collaboration with Deakin University to a larger, multi site phase 3 clinical trial. Ultimately, our goal is to undergo regulatory assessment to validate its safety and efficacy profiles, potentially establishing medicinal cannabis as a recognized therapy option for children with these conditions.
Medigrowth plans to work closely with health regulators to expand access and integrate medicinal cannabis into mainstream treatment options for children with autism. We’re committed to advancing this field with continued research and collaboration with medical professionals. The more we can learn and prove the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis, the better the future treatment options will be for families who need them.
How does Medigrowth plan to continue to grow?
As the business continues to expand, as seen with a 133.57% year-on-year revenue increase, we have launched our second crowdfunding campaign through Birchal which is now open for investment. This allows Australians to invest in the future of plant medicine, which is incredibly exciting. This crowdfund will allow us to continue to innovate and expand our offering, ensuring the highest quality of products that meet our evolving medical needs.
HG added note: As with any investment, research is crucial before participating in a crowdfunder. Always consider the general CSF risk warning and offer document before investing.
