Dr Reddys, MediCane Health introduce medical cannabis products in Germany

The demand for medical cannabis has increased over the past years, driven by the German Parliament's (Bundestag) legalization of medical cannabis in 2017. The medical cannabis market in Germany is valued at ~122 Mio. € with growth of ~25% in 2021 compared to 2020 and a CAGR of ~55 % since 2017. Around 150,000 German patients benefit from medical cannabis for their otherwise unmet health needs, according to the reports especially in the area of pain management, spasticity, anorexia, vomiting, depression.

Dr. Reddy's and MediCane have also signed an agreement for the co-funding of a phase II clinical trial for a cannabis product aimed at symptom relief of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD). Dr. Reddy's will hold exclusive sales and marketing rights for such product in Europe (except Russia and CIS countries) upon completion of such trial. The parties expect to commence the clinical trial of the product during the second half of 2022. BPSD refers to the spectrum of commonly observed non-cognitive and non-neurological symptoms of dementia, such as agitation, aggression, psychosis, depression, and apathy.

Patrick Aghanian, Head of European Generics, Dr. Reddy's, said: "This collaboration with MediCane Health demonstrates Dr. Reddy's commitment to take a leadership position in Europe's rapidly growing medical cannabis market. With MediCane, we join forces with a unique and differentiated research-based partner in the medical cannabis field. We are very pleased about the strategic, multi-dimensional collaboration with MediCane, which further complements our mission to accelerate access to medical cannabis to meet unmet patient needs and improve the quality of life of patients."

Yossi BenAmram, co-founder and Group CEO, MediCane, said: "This collaboration articulates MediCane's strategy to develop evidence-based medical products and partnering with leading pharmaceutical companies to maximize the potential of these drugs for patients. This collaboration is a very important step for MediCane, for the short, medium and long term and we couldn't be more excited to partner with a reputable and resourceful company like Dr. Reddy's. With MediCane's agrotechnical and biological cannabis-specific R&D resources and know-how, and Dr. Reddy's proven sales, marketing and distribution capabilities, with wide geographic access in line with our strategy, as well as powerful regulatory and R&D capabilities for generic drug development, I believe this synergistic partnership can be at the forefront of the European medical cannabis market makers in the foreseeable future."

Read also: Dr Reddy's Labs, Novartis ink pact for cardiovascular brand Cidmus