New Cannabis-Based Medication Shows Promise for Chronic Back Pain Relief

Chronic back pain remains one of the most prevalent health issues affecting individuals worldwide. Recent developments in medicinal cannabis suggest that a new cannabis-based pharmaceutical product may soon be available for certain patients suffering from this condition.

Currently, there are limited cannabis-based medications on the German market, with existing products like Canemes® and Sativex® not approved for treating back pain. However, at a recent press conference during the German Pain and Palliative Care Days held in Frankfurt, the new medication VER-01 was introduced along with findings from the Phase III clinical trial, VER-CLBP-001, which involved 820 patients with chronic back pain.

The placebo-controlled study focused on patients experiencing chronic, non-specific lower back pain who required medication after previous treatments with non-opioid analgesics proved ineffective or were contraindicated due to adverse reactions. According to findings presented by a leading researcher, VER-01 demonstrated a clinically significant and statistically meaningful reduction in pain levels compared to the placebo after 15 weeks.

Participants rated their pain intensity on a numerical rating scale (NRS), starting with an average of 6.1. After 15 weeks, the pain level in the treatment group decreased to approximately 4.0, while the placebo group reported an average level of about 4.7. Notably, patients with severe pain and those with a pain history exceeding ten years also experienced significant pain relief, with an improved reduction of 1.2 NRS points compared to the placebo.

Additionally, enhancements in sleep quality and overall life satisfaction were reported, with no significant signs of dependency, misuse, or severe side effects associated with the medication.

VER-01 is characterized as a full-spectrum cannabis extract, primarily containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), with a minimal amount of cannabidiol (CBD). The formulation was developed after analyzing over 500 plant genetics, and a deliberate effort was made to include a high terpene content, such as ?-Caryophyllene, to potentially enhance its antidepressant and sleep-inducing properties.

The company behind VER-01 anticipates regulatory approval for treating chronic back pain in Germany and Austria by July 2025. Plans are already underway to explore additional applications for VER-01, including its use for neuropathic pain, with a related study, VER-CNEP-002, focusing on diabetic polyneuropathy.