LEVIN Health, a leading Australian sports science company focused on evidence-based research, development and commercialisation of a range of medicinal cannabis (MC) products, continues to ready itself for further clinical development with a series of high-profile appointments to its Medical Advisory Board (MAB).
LEVIN Health is currently recruiting for its Phase 2a clinical trial investigating the efficacy of a patented cannabinoid formulation for treating chronic pain and the appointments will help the business deliver on its commercialisation strategy of providing direct patient access in Australia and overseas.
Dr James Stewart, considered one of Australia’s most experienced medicinal cannabis consultants and advocates for the prescription of medicinal cannabis products for GPs, has joined the LEVIN Health Medical Advisory Board.
An active prescriber of medicinal cannabis products in Australia under the TGA’s Special Access Scheme (SAS) and as an Authorised Prescriber, Dr Stewart brings a deep understanding of the regulatory requirements of the use of medicinal cannabis products. His advocacy on behalf of the medicinal cannabis sector has seen him recently awarded the Australian Doctor of the Year and the People’s Choice Award at the 2021 Australian Cannabis Industry Awards.
Dr Debbie Herbst has also joined LEVIN Health’s Medical Advisory Board. An experienced GP with over 20 years of experience, Dr Herbst brings a wealth of experience in medicinal cannabis prescription within the current Australian regulatory environment.
Her expertise is complemented with insights and a passion for holistic wellbeing. A well-known presenter for enhanced health and wellbeing through nutrition, Dr Herbst has received accreditation in infant care as part of the Masada Parent Infant Unit, Royal Women’s Hospital and Monash Medical Centre. The appointment of Dr Herbst will amplify LEVIN Health’s commercialisation strategy.
The additions of Dr Stewart and Dr Herbst add to the already robust experience and credentials of existing MAB members – Dr Bruce Mitchell and Dr Harry Unglik who joined in mid-2021.
Both well-known doctors in the sporting world, A/Prof Bruce Mitchell and Dr Harry Unglik have seen the impact of sports-related injuries and resultant chronic pain throughout their careers.
Dr Unglik previously spent time as the former doctor of the North Melbourne Football Club, AFL Chief Medical Officer, and Olympic team doctor, and currently consults major sporting injuries through The Melbourne Sports Medicine Centre.
With over 40 years experience as a doctor and GP, Dr Unglik is an accredited Fellow of the College of General Practitioners, Sports Medicine Australia, and Sports Doctors Australia.
A/Prof Mitchell is considered one of Australia’s leading experts on pain and pain management, with a comprehensive background in sports medicine.
A Senior Partner of Metro Pain Group in Melbourne, where he practices as a Sports and Interventional Pain Physician, A/Prof Mitchell is currently Chair of Monash Clinical Research and chair of Sports Medicine Australia Research Foundation and is on the Board of the Pain Research Foundation.
In addition, he brings a wealth of clinical trial experience to LEVIN Health, having been an investigator of principal investigator for over 30 closed clinical trials. D A/Prof Mitchell is also a Fellow of the Australasian College of Sports and Exercise Physicians, The American College of Sports Medicine, The Australian Sports Medicine Federation and a Fellowship of Interventional Pain Practice.
Commenting on the appointments, LEVIN Health’s Managing Director Mr Mark Brayshaw said: “As we continue to progress the clinical development of the patented cannabinoid formulation, it gives me great pleasure to welcome the foursome to the team.
“Their appointments will bring a range of front line, regulatory and prescription experience, helping evolve our robust clinical pathway and grow our extensive networks of sports and medical professionals.
“This combination of expertise across our leadership and advisory team is unique to the industry and will allow us to unlock the potential of medicinal cannabis to help people suffering from long-term pain, mental health disorders and sport-related ailments.”
Completion of the Company’s Phase 2a trial will provide a breadth of clinically validated data currently lacking in the medicinal cannabis market which is expected to reach over US$1.5 billion in Australia and US$103 billion globally by 2024.
The leading, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial is being undertaken in collaboration with La Trobe University’s Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre (Melbourne, Australia), with the world-renowned sports medicine expert Professor Peter Brukner as Principal Investigator.
ENDS.
For further information, please contact WE Communications:
- Greig King – [email protected], 0452 041 261
