Plandai Biotechnology, Inc. To Focus Marijuana Research On Neuron Disorders Including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, And Multiple Sclerosis

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwired - December 09, 2013) - Plandaí Biotechnology, Inc. (OTCQB: PLPL), a producer of highly bioavailable plant extracts for industries including health, wellness, nutriceutical, and pharmaceutical, today released a statement from company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Roger Duffield, in which the company addressed progress with its recently announced subsidiary, Cannabis Biosciences, Inc., and the development and testing of a botanical extract derived from cannabis.

Mr. Duffield stated, “We believe that the phytonutrients in cannabis show excellent potential for treating and preventing a host of neuron and injury related brain diseases including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, MS, and post-concussion syndrome. The industry has faced several challenges with bringing cannabis-based therapies that address these issues to market. First, there are legal hurdles to overcome before testing of any kind can even commence. From a pharmacological standpoint, cannabinoids are more tightly regulated that opiates. Second, one of the most active chemicals in cannabis, THC, is also psychoactive when metabolized, which brings with it unwanted effects and social stigma. Finally, administering a clinical dose to target tissues is challenging due to poor bioavailability and metabolization in oral formulations. Smoking enough cannabis to deliver a clinical dose is also impractical.

“Our research affirms that damage to the CB1 and CB2 brain receptors contributes to several neuron diseases. Cannabis is rich in neuron-beneficial phytocannabinoids including Δ9-THC; however, Δ9-THC taken in an oral preparation converts in the liver to 11-hydroxy metabolite. This new chemical demonstrates high levels of psycho-activity and is significantly less effective in scavenging free radicals. Essentially, you get the psychotropic aspects of the drug with none of the medicinal benefits.”

Cannabis Biosciences believes that it can take its licensed Phytofare™ and Pheroid™ technologies and produce an FDA approved Phytofare™ cannabinoid complex. Δ9-THC having similar antioxidant activities to the catechins in green tea by having affinity to the CB1 and CB2 neuron receptors, so the science suggests the company can produce a highly bioavailable complex that has little if any psychotropic effects and that can deliver a clinical dose to cellular tissues.

Mr. Duffield added, “Our immediate goal is to undertake the profiling of the Phytofare™ Cannabinoid Complex and commence in-vitro testing within six months. Within twelve months we would anticipate commencing animal trials in anticipation of eventually obtaining FDA approval for human clinical trials specifically addressing several neural disorders including post-concussion syndrome.”

About Plandaí Biotechnology, Inc.

Plandaí Biotechnology, Inc. and its subsidiaries develop highly bioavailable, phytonutrient rich extracts which are being utilized to deliver a new family of drugs to safely and affordably treat a multitude of diseases and conditions. Plandaí Biotechnology controls every aspect of the process, from growing the raw materials on its farms in South Africa, to producing its patented Phytofare™ extracts in-house, allowing the Company to guarantee the continuity of supply as well as quality control throughout the entire process. Targeted industries for the Company’s products include beverage, cosmeceutical, wellness, nutraceutical, anti-aging, and pharmaceutical. For more information, please visit http://www.plandaibiotech.com.

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