Cannabis Science Appoints Ronald Sekura PH.D former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Research Chemist, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Review; as Executive Vice President of Regulatory Affairs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cannabis Science Inc., (CBIS) announced today the appointment of Ronald Sekura PH.D former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Research Chemist, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Review as Executive Vice President of Regulatory Affairs of Cannabis Science. Dr. Sekura is the former Chief of the Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Affairs Branch of the Division of AIDS at The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institute of Health (NIH).

“Dr. Sakura’s experience within the FDA on regulatory affairs regarding antiviral drug development will provide Cannabis Science with a substantial advantage in navigating the clinical development and regulatory approval process for CS-TATI-1.”

Dr. Sekura’s career in drug development regulatory affairs spans over two decades with extensive experience in governmental regulatory requirements as well as publicly traded biotechnology. Dr. Ronald Sekura is currently President of VivoNex LLC and Biotechnology Assessment Services, Inc.

Dr. Sekura held the position of Research Chemist at The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the NIH and the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER). He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Biochemistry degrees at Pennsylvania State University and his Ph.D., at Cornell University. Dr. Sekura is the author of over sixty scientific publications.

“Cannabis Sciences’ preclinical development of CS-TATI-1 appears to inhibit HIV associated Kaposi Sarcoma by via HIV Tat. KSHV is the most prevalent cancer among AIDS patients worldwide. Current peer reviewed literature supports our premise that HIV Tat protein appears to trans activate Kaposi sarcoma and in vitro research confirms the inhibition of KSHV by the cannabinoids presented by CS-TATI-1. The inhibition of HIV Tat offers a promising new approach to inhibiting KSHV infective cycle as well as potential antiviral activity against the HIV lifecycle. I am happy to join CBIS to advance the development of CS-TATI-1 to further our preclinical regulatory efforts as we advance to phase one studies”, stated Dr. Sekura.

Dr. Robert Melamede, President and CEO of Cannabis Science stated “Dr. Sakura’s experience within the FDA on regulatory affairs regarding antiviral drug development will provide Cannabis Science with a substantial advantage in navigating the clinical development and regulatory approval process for CS-TATI-1.”

About CS-TATI-1

Cannabis Science’s research of CS-TATI-1 will be targeted to newly diagnosed patients infected with drug resistant virus, treatment experienced patients with drug-resistant HIV strains, and those intolerant of currently available therapies. Cannabis Science will be pursuing a wide range of NIH based Federal Research Programs such as RO1’s, PO1’s and SBIRS which exist to support preclinical development of target validation and proof of concept studies. These studies will be implemented through collaborations with leading scientific institutions. Cannabis Science will also be pursuing other clinical research collaborations including the AIDS Clinical Trials Groups (ACTG), the Canadian AIDS Trial Network (CATN) and the European AIDS Trial Network (EATN).

About Cannabis Science, Inc.

Cannabis Science, Inc. is conducting cannabinoid research and development for unmet medical needs. The Company works with leading experts in new drug development, medicinal characterization, and clinical research to develop, produce, and commercialize phytocannabinoid-based pharmaceutical products. Cannabis Science is currently working on two with CBR International to develop a Pre-IND Application to the FDA that focuses on the transdermal delivery of CS-TATI-1 topical cannabis-based preparations for the treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinomas. Recent presentations at AIDS 2012 and The International Conference on Antiviral Research have provoked federal research interest in the development of CS-TATI-1.

Forward Looking Statements

This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing works such as “anticipate,” “seek,” intend,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” or similar phrases may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company’s reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs. Cannabis Science, Inc. does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements.