Dr. Brian Bapty reports

PASCAL BIOSCIENCES FIRST TO FILE PATENT FOR COVID-19 ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY WITH CBD

Pascal Biosciences Inc. was the first to report cannabinoids can kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Pascal filed an international patent covering this work prior to the press release in July, 2020, and now it is clear that Pascal was the first to file to protect this discovery. This means that Pascal holds the rights to therapeutic treatment of COVID-19 by cannabinoids, particularly CBD (cannabidiol). Pascal scientists have replicated this work in four different anti-viral assays and have also shown that CBD has an anti-viral activity similar to remdesivir, a Gilead Sciences drug approved for treatment of COVID-19. Furthermore, Pascal's discovery has been confirmed and extended by several academic groups. A lab at the University of Chicago has recently shown that CBD suppressed infection in mice and also that epilepsy patients treated with CBD have significantly lower rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection than matched patients. A separate academic study suggests that CBD viral blockade is not variant specific, so CBD treatment should be beneficial as the virus mutates during the pandemic.

There are currently at least four clinical trials testing CBD in COVID-19 patients. While Pascal is not involved in those studies, the rights to treat patients would be covered by Pascal's patent if CBD is approved by regulatory officials. After 18 months, patent submissions become public information. The absence of other patents predating Pascal's submission date confirms that Pascal was the first to file and protect this discovery.

"It is rewarding to see external studies independently confirming CBD as having a positive impact with respect to COVID-19," stated Brian Bapty, chief executive officer of Pascal Biosciences. "CBD is a well-characterized drug, and the real-world patient data is looking constructive for its use against COVID-19. This suggests clinical studies designed to support FDA approval will be well informed as to expected outcome."

About Pascal Biosciences Inc.

Pascal is a biotechnology company targeting innovative therapies for cancer, including targeted therapies for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and cannabinoid-based therapeutics. Pascal's leading portfolio also comprises a small-molecule therapeutic, PAS-403, that is advancing into clinical trials for the treatment of glioblastoma, and PAS-393, an immuno-stimulatory cannabinoid to be used in combination with checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

We seek Safe Harbor.