DSM intensifies cannabinoid presence with Brains Bioceutical collab for APIs
23 Jun 2021 --- DSM is continuing its journey into the cannabinoid space with an exclusive commercial partnership with Brains Bioceutical, which is active in cannabinoid active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
The partnership will create a platform for DSM to help agile early-stage drug development unlock and deliver value-added cannabinoid-based products. These aim to benefit global patient health while having a sustainable, secure supply.
“Across its business, DSM is committed to helping its customers realize the exciting potential of cannabinoids – and cannabidiol (CBD) specifically – so that they can enter the market with confidence,” Kelsey Achenbach, senior director of pharma and medical nutrition at DSM, tells NutritionInsight.
The announcement comes just a week after DSM partnered with Mile High Labs to develop hemp-derived cannabinoid solutions – a move pegged as the Dutch giant’s “first steps” into the cannabinoid space.
“The two partnerships with Brains Bioceutical and Mile High Labs are separate agreements, designed to create innovation opportunities for prescription drug manufacturers and dietary supplement, food and beverage brand owners respectively,” emphasizes Achenbach.
Targeting global customers
The commercial partnership is effective immediately and has a global reach, excluding the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan.
DSM’s cannabinoid active ingredient portfolio joins its range of APIs and lipid intermediates.
Brains Bioceutical brings a portfolio of naturally-sourced, EU-GMP cannabinoid APIs – registered with the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and with a filed Drug Master File (DMF) with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US.
“Although there are several companies operating within the cannabinoid space, Brains is one of the few companies in the world with EU-GMP certification for its natural, plant-based CBD API,” states Ricky Brar, CEO and chairman of Brains Bioceutical.
Meanwhile, DSM will apply its science and marketing capabilities to bring the highest quality cannabinoid APIs to customers, with the capability to manufacture custom cannabinoids.
The cannabinoid portfolio will add to DSM’s existing vitamin APIs and lipid API intermediates.
Cannabinoid potential
The cannabinoid API market is fast-growing, with cannabinoid’s potential being flagged in several therapeutic areas, including Central Nervous System (CNS) diseases.
CNS diseases – a broad category of neurological conditions including epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke – are increasingly recognized as one of the most prevalent disorders worldwide with a high burden to patients.
“With positive findings in more than 160 clinical trials to date, there are however new opportunities for drug manufacturers to innovate in the cannabinoid market and expand treatment possibilities for patients,” says Achenbach.
The cannabinoid-related API space has been heating up, with Kannalife’s CEO recently reflecting on a decade of mainstreaming. 
Brains Bioceutical provides a secure supply of standardized API cannabinoids of natural origin.
Last summer, Symrise revealed a synthetic cannabinoid that the company expects will “revolutionize the pharmaceutical market.”
Other notable moves include OBX landing US$11.5 million for its wellness offerings and a trial from the UK’s Government Chemist finding that 82 percent of participating labs reported “satisfactory” results for CBD.
Raising capital
Earlier this month, corporate venture arm DSM Venturing was also the lead investor in a US$31.9 million capital raise for Brains Bioceutical.
“The completion of the capital raise marks an exciting milestone for the Brains’ team. To have the confidence of DSM in this next round solidifies Brains’ strategic position within the pharmaceutical industry,” Brar said at the time.
The company already offers a line of its own branded nutraceutical products and special medicines available in the UK.
By Katherine Durrell
