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ZELDA Therapeutics (ASX: ZLD) has entered into a research agreement with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to study the effects of medical cannabis treatment in paediatric autism.
As one of Australia's prominent listed medical cannabis companies, Zelda will co-investigate the effects of cannabinoid treatments through an observational trial.
The company said its goal is to understand the effectiveness of cannabinoids, while working closely with patient advocacy groups and licensed cannabis growers.
Executive chairman of Zelda Harry Karelis says this study has the potential to be a key milestone for the ongoing study of cannabinoids in clinical settings.
"We are very excited to be entering into this research collaboration with CHOP," says Karelis.
"Through this alliance, we have the potential to deliver very robust clinical trial data which we hope opens up cannabinoids as a safe, effective and affordable treatment option for patients in need."
The Medical Cannabis Clinic of Australia says the drug's non-psychoactive component (CBD) has been proven to regulate emotional states and focus, and is also protective against brain degradation.
This makes CBD an effective treatment for mood regulation and helps decrease rage, anxiety and hostility that occurs in autism.
The Zelda observational study will commence early in the new year, with preliminary results expected within six months.
The findings will build on successful results the company achieved through its Chilean autism observational study in September.
Zelda found that cannabis extracts were more effective than conventional autism medicines, with more than 70 per cent of cannabis treated patients improving in at least one core symptom area, and more than 66 per cent of patients showing significant overall improvement.
The company presented its findings from the Chilean study at the 23rd World Congress of Neurology in Japan.
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