Bod Science diversifies into new markets with the launch of Aqua Phase
New study confirms efficacy of game-changing drug delivery technology; solving challenges posed by lipophilic drugs
Latest pharmacokinetic (PK) study of Aqua Phase CBD shows six times greater bioavailability and triple concentration levels in comparison to CBD in oil unlocking endless application opportunities across global pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food and beverage markets
Affirming Bod Science’s position as a trailblazer in Australia’s growing medicinal cannabis market and as a downstream focused drug delivery solution provider
Australian medicinal cannabis developer, Bod Science, has released the results of the second pharmacokinetic (PK) study for Aqua Phase, game-changing technology that acts as a drug delivery system to make water hating (or lipophilic) drugs, such as cannabinoids (CBD), water soluble.
The most recent study, which completes Bod Science’s research and development work, demonstrated that Aqua Phase delivers six times greater bioavailability in comparison to CBD in oil as well as triple the maximum concentration levels. Importantly, it also showed that Aqua Phase is faster-acting, reaching its maximum concentration in two and a half hours versus six hours for CBD in oil. This significantly enhances its absorption and tolerability for users, with no taste or smell, and will go a long way in improving existing lipophilic products used to help a number of health conditions.
“In particular, the enhanced tolerability of Aqua Phase has the potential to improve the experience of patients who can’t tolerate the oils used in most CBD products. Excessive oil consumption can cause various digestive symptoms such as nausea and indigestion,” explained Janet Wilson, Head of Research & Development at Bod.
Aqua Phase’s boosted bioavailability also has the potential to reduce adverse side-effects of lipophilic drugs, while also reducing dose levels and increasing absorption. Lipophilic drugs can pose certain challenges in terms of their formulation, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
Jo Patterson, CEO of Bod, said this creates scope for Bod to pivot from being a CBD-focused drug developer to one that enters the broader medicines market globally.
“This is an important advancement for the global pharma industry and has the potential to redefine the pharmaceutical market for lipophilic compounds across the world,” she said.
Aqua Phase is delivered in a dry powder form, giving it the versatility to be adapted int multiple formats including capsules, creams and aqueous solutions.
“With Aqua Phase, we have a significant opportunity to reshape food and beverage markets across the globe,” continued Patterson. “In its powder format, we can add lipophilic compounds like CBD to sports drinks and even go a step further in adding them to oral products and topical creams in the burgeoning nutraceutical industry.”
“From a healthcare perspective, Aqua Phase is a game-changer. It will enhance the wellbeing and quality of life for those who are taking CBD to support a number of medical conditions and paves the way to further strengthen the quality and efficacy of life-changing drugs, both in development and currently in the market,” Patterson concluded.
With many opportunities on the horizon, Bod is looking to partner with companies that manufacture different types of beverages, nutraceuticals, and drugs worldwide where solubility and bioavailability pose a challenge.
How Aqua Phase Works with CBD
Traditionally, CBD has had poor biological absorption (bioavailability). Aqua Phase technology actively changes this.
During the Aqua Phase process, CBD is combined with a starch-based molecule. This combination undergoes mechanical and heating processes over time to deliver a bioavailable complex. This patented process of combining an active drug with a starch is called Aqua Phase. It’s a formulation technology that can be used with many different chemicals and nutrients.
The end result is a flavourless, colourless and stable product that makes active compounds like CBD more effective and tolerable than the existing products.
Latest PK Study Results
The results from the latest PK study showed that Aqua Phase CBD had six times greater bioavailability and three times greater concentration levels than CBD in oil, showing enhanced absorption and improved tolerability.
The new research means that Bod has now completed two PK studies to demonstrate the enhanced bioavailability of CBD complexed with the Aqua Phase technology compared with CBD in MCT oil. The latest trial, a Phase 1 study, investigated the bioavailability in venous blood which enrolled 12 healthy volunteers who were dosed with either Aqua Phase CBD 100mg or CBD 100mg in oil. It was conducted under strict research conditions where dosing and sampling conditions were highly controlled.
About Bod Science:
Bod Science (ASX:BOD) is a cannabis focused drug development and product innovation company.
Bod is focused on progressing research and development with a defined clinical trial pathway to commercialise and deliver premium, scientifically proven and trusted products for patients and consumers.
The company has a number of existing partnerships with large corporate companies and collaborations with leading research organisations to advance the use of cannabis related medicines with therapeutic indications.
