San Diego, CA—CV Sciences is working toward its goal of developing and commercializing a cannabidiol- (CBD)-based pharmaceutical to treat nicotine addiction in smokeless tobacco users. The latest progress:publication of a preclinical study, in collaboration with researchers from the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego), demonstrating the efficacy of chronic CBD treatment in reducing nicotine dependence.

The researchers treated rats dependent on nicotine and experiencing withdrawals with CBD. The finding: Treatment prevented the rats  from exhibiting withdrawal symptoms, including increased pain sensitivity and weight gain, during short- and long-term nicotine restriction.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of the research completed in collaboration with UC San Diego, which further validates our years of investment and hard work,” said Joseph Dowling, Chief Executive Officer of CV Sciences, in a press release. “This study marked a key milestone in CV Sciences’ smokeless tobacco addiction treatment R&D efforts and further extends our potential product development opportunities to commercialize the world’s first and only FDA-approved treatment for smokeless tobacco addiction to address a huge unmet medical need and global health issue.”

CV Sciences also reported that, in May 2020, it received its formal Notice of Issuance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its patent application for proprietary CBD and nicotine formulation for treating smokeless tobacco addiction. The company also filed corresponding patent applications that will allow it to seek similar patent protection in other key markets worldwide.