New dosing forms drive medicinal cannabis innovation
Interview with Dr. Bernhard Babel, Managing Director
Medicinal cannabis is increasingly reshaping modern therapeutics, offering new options for patients with chronic pain, cancer, and other severe conditions where conventional treatments fall short. As healthcare systems seek evidence-based integration of cannabinoid therapies, innovation in dosing and delivery is becoming critical. Companies such as Avextra Pharma GmbH are driving this progress, most recently with the development of patient-friendly dosing forms – including capsules and granulates – that significantly improve precision, ease of use, and acceptance, marking a major step forward in this evolving field.
The path toward medicinal cannabis as a viable treatment has been shaped by both regulatory change and patient need. As Director Dr. Bernhard Babel explains, “Germany changed the regulatory status so that doctors can prescribe cannabis-based medicines (CbM) as a last therapy option when other treatments no longer work.” This shift opened access for patients as therapy option, when other treatments do not produce the desired results. “You have millions of people who have run out of conventional options,” he says, describing individuals dealing with chronic pain or advanced illness.
Beyond traditional pain therapy
At the core of cannabinoid therapy is its multi-symptom effect. Unlike conventional medications, which often target a single condition, CbM can address multiple aspects of patient suffering simultaneously.
“For certain indications, it’s a fantastic story,” says Bernhard Babel. “It goes beyond just pain to adress symptoms affecting sleep, appetite and anxiety – patients simply feel better.” This holistic approach can reduce reliance on high-dose pharmaceuticals to potentially improve overall quality of life.
Building evidence in pharma
Despite promising outcomes, widespread adoption depends on clinical validation. “The healthcare system needs evidence, which in practice means Phase III trial data,” Bernhard Babel explains. Avextra has structured its work around this requirement. “We started early focusing on innovation and clinical studies because in pharma everything takes time,” he says. The company combines real-world patient data obtained from around 20,000 patients it already treats every month in Germany with formal clinical trials. “We collect a huge amount of information on safety, dosing, and indications,” he notes, describing a data-driven approach that strengthens study design. Rethinking drug delivery. A major barrier to broader acceptance has been the method of administration. Traditional cannabis use lacks consistency and control, but pharmaceutical formats change that dynamic.
“The difference compared to inhalation is a much more controlled effect,” says Bernhard Babel. Avextra has invested heavily in standardized formulations. “We have drops and capsules which are taken like a normal medicine,” he explains. This innovation is key to patient compliance. “A capsule doesn’t smell and has no taste; it can be taken like any other medication – simply and easily,” he adds. However, developing such formats requires sustained effort: “So far it has taken four years,” he says, reflecting on the timeline for new dosing solutions.
A dual-track business model
Avextra operates across two parallel tracks. In the current regulated market, it supplies pharmaceutical cannabis products to patients with unmet needs. At the same time, it is investing heavily in future drug approvals. “The current business covers our ongoing costs. Everything we invest in clinical studies comes on top,” explains Bernhard Babel. The long-term objective is clear: “We want to bring a fully approved medicine to a much broader patient population,” he says.
Collaboration in a growth market
The sector is expanding rapidly, with many players entering the field. Yet collaboration remains essential. “There are probably 100 companies working in this field in Germany and maybe 200 across Europe,” says Bernhard Babel. Despite competition, partnerships are common. “We have a very collaborative approach and currently work closely with five or six partners,” he notes, reflecting a maturing industry landscape. Beyond cannabinoids, Avextra is already looking ahead to other plant-based therapeutics. “There are very potent natural substances that were previously prohibited but have huge potential in medical applications,” says Bernhard Babel. The company is exploring emerging areas such as novel molecules for mental health, reflecting a broader shift back toward nature-derived pharmaceuticals – under strict clinical and regulatory frameworks.
Technology as an enabler
Digitalization and artificial intelligence are increasingly supporting pharmaceutical innovation. “We use AI to improve internal processes such as document creation, data analysis, and customer service,” says Bernhard Babel. However, he stresses that technology remains a tool, not a substitute for human expertise: “You still need the judgment of people to ensure the results are meaningful.”
A patient-centered future
Ultimately, the promise of medicinal cannabis lies in its impact on patients. For those who have exhausted traditional therapies, it represents a meaningful alternative. “When you see the improvement in patient quality of life, that is something extraordinary,” says Bernhard Babel. As clinical evidence grows and pharmaceutical innovation advances, cannabinoid-based treatments are poised to become a more integrated part of mainstream medicine – transforming both how therapies are delivered and how care is experienced.