Pivot Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of therapeutic pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals using innovative drug delivery platform technologies, has accelerated development of several cannabidiol (CBD) products for the domestic pet food market. Pivot will use its patented Ready-To-Infuse-Cannabis powder to manufacture and commercialise capsules and sachets to deliver bio-available CBD to pets. The company will also develop and commercialise a line of pet creams using its Thrudermic Transdermal Nanotechnology.
Pivot's pet product line will be marketed under the brand "Pivot Naturals For Pets" and target indications such as joint pain, inflammation, post-surgical pain and skin disorders.
Research on how cannabinoids (including CBD) affect the human body has shown that they mainly interact with our endocannabinoid system (ECS). This endocannabinoid system, has now been found to exist in all vertebrates, including mammals. Animals such as dogs were specifically found to share almost 70% biological homology with humans. Thus, it can be cautiously concluded that CBD interacts in a similar way in canines and felines as it does in humans. Similar to how CBD interacts with receptors in our ECS, cannabinoids bind to receptors within the dog's body. One study in particular found that the CBD "binds to these receptors for a longer duration [in dogs], and evokes long-lasting therapeutic response without causing toxic effects."
In 2016, pet owners in the US alone spent more than $30 billion on treatments, according to the American Pet Products Association. Once legalisation becomes a reality this year, the true potential of the Canadian cannabis industry will be unleashed, thanks to a big demand boost from the estimated $10.2 billion pet medicine market in the US
Dr. Joseph Borovksy, Pivot's executive vice-president, product development stated "With Pivot's line of pet products, the pain-relieving effects of CBD can be delivered orally, topically or as an additive sprinkled on pet food. Pivot's technologies are versatile and allow us to develop and commercialise products for both the human and veterinary markets. Our suite of patented technologies will allow us to continually innovate and bring dozens of differentiated, value-added derivatives to market, where regulations permit, in Canada, US and the EU."