Kannalife Sciences, Inc. announced that it has filed a non-provisional patent application entitled: 'Novel Functionalized 1,3-Benzene Diols and their Method of Use for the Treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy'. The patent describes a family of candidate molecules which are safer and more effective than cannabidiol in an in vitro assay of neuroprotection. The assay evaluates the ability of a test agent to protect hippocampal neurons from oxidative stress induced by ammonia and ethanol at clinically relevant concentrations.

In addition to demonstrating favorable in vitro effects, the current lead molecule also shows significant improvement in absorption of the drug and plasma and brain drug levels after oral administration, as compared to cannabidiol.