Cannabix Technologies Inc. reported it has entered into a definitive license agreement with the University of Florida for U.S. Patent 8,237,118. Earlier this year, the company announced its intention to exercise its option for the patent. The agreement provides Cannabix exclusive worldwide rights in the area of breath analysis of controlled substances.
Cannabix and university researchers are developing an innovative FAIMS (field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry) based instrument for the detection of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in human breath. In consideration for the patent license, the company has issued 603,870 common shares to the University.
The company also reports that development of the Cannabix Marijuana Breathalyzer prototype for the detection of trace amounts of THC is progressing well and expected to be completed by late fall 2016. In July, the company announced the development of its “Beta 1.0” bench-top device with a proprietary configurable high voltage power supply which operates on conventional power sources.
All components in the “Beta 2.0” bench-top device have been reduced in size even further, some as much as 5X. The Beta 2.0 device will also deliver greater sensitivity. The company expects to have a pilot test ready device for scientific trials for later this fall, while the company continues to develop its Beta 3.0 version, which will be a completely portable handheld device.
Scientific trial protocols for testing will be developed with the assistance of Cannabix Scientific Advisors Drs. Marilyn Huestis and Bruce Goldberger and in accordance with the requirements in Canada of the Minster of Justice in Canada and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States. The trials will consist of live breath testing utilizing medicinal marijuana users in correlation with blood THC testing to assess the accuracy of the breath test device and its sensitivity and specificity.
Kal Malhi, president of Cannabix stated, “Cannabix is a leader in the development of a hand held marijuana breathalyzer and we are fortunate to have the guidance of Drs. Huestis and Goldberger as we move towards scientific field trials of our device. Both are a vital part in helping Cannabix to move towards this milestone and get closer to delivering a highly accurate and court accepted evidence gathering tool that law enforcement can use to enforce marijuana impaired driving.”
About Cannabix Technologies Inc.
Cannabix Technologies Inc. is a leader in marijuana breathalyzer development for law enforcement and the workplace. Cannabix has established breath testing technologies in the pursuit of bringing durable, portable hand-held tools to market to enhance detection of marijuana impaired driving offences on roads at a time when marijuana is becoming legal in many jurisdictions globally. Cannabix is working to develop drug-testing devices that will detect THC—the psychoactive component of marijuana that causes intoxication—using breath samples. This technology would be used to provide detection of use of THC at the roadside to identify drivers intoxicated by the recent use of marijuana. In particular, Cannabix is focused on developing breath testing devices for detection of recent use of THC, in contrast to urine testing for THC metabolite that requires an invasive collection and reflects use days or even weeks earlier. The devices will also be useful for other practical applications such as testing employees in the workplace where intoxication by THC can be hazardous.
(Source: Marketwired)
