Artelo Biosciences, Inc. announced that enrollment in the final cohort of the Phase 1b stage of its Cancer Appetite Recovery Study (CAReS) is now complete. The first stage of the CAReS clinical trial is intended to evaluate the safety of ART27.13. Following a review of initial treatment data from the Phase 1b, Artelo expects to select the optimal dose for the randomized Phase 2a stage of CAReS, which is designed to further explore safety and efficacy of ART27.13.

ART27.13 is a highly potent, peripherally restricted synthetic, dual G-Protein Couple Receptor agonist believed to target the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, which has the potential to increase appetite and food intake. Originally developed by AstraZeneca plc, ART27.13 has been in five Phase 1 clinical studies including over 200 subjects where it demonstrated a statistically significant and dose-dependent increase in body weight in healthy subjects. Importantly, the changes in body weight were not associated with fluid retention and the distribution of the drug enables systemic metabolic effects while minimizing central nervous system-mediated toxicity.