Dronabinol

Scientists have uncovered how cannabis evolved the ability to make its most famous compounds—THC, CBD, and CBC—by recreating ancient enzymes that existed millions of years ago. These early enzymes were multitaskers, capable of producing several cannabinoids at once, before evolution fine-tuned them into today’s highly specialized forms. By “resurrecting” these long-lost enzymes in the lab, researchers showed how cannabis chemistry became more precise over time—and discovered something unexpected: the ancient versions are often more robust and easier to work with.Where did cannabis compounds like THC, CBD, and CBC come from? Scientists at Wageningen University & Research have now provided the first experimental proof showing how cannabis developed the ability to make these well-known cannabinoids. Along the way, the team also created enzymes that could be useful for producing cannabinoids through biotechnology, especially for medical use. Their findings were published in the scientific journal Plant Biotechnology Journal. To reach these conclusions, the researchers rebuilt enzymes that no longer exist today but were active millions of years ago in early ancestors of the cannabis plant. Enzymes are essential to cannabinoid production in cannabis, driving the chemical reactions that create these bioactive compounds with recognized medicinal potential. How Cannabis Enzymes Evolved Over Time Today's cannabis plants rely on highly specialized enzymes to produce THC, CBD, and CBC. Each compound is made by its own dedicated enzyme. The new research shows that this precision is the result of evolution and was not always the case. Early versions of these enzymes were far more flexible. A single ancestral enzyme could generate multiple cannabinoids at once. Over time, gene duplications occurred during cannabis evolution, allowing these enzymes to gradually become more specialized and efficient at producing individual compounds. Recreating Ancient Cannabis Chemistry To uncover this history, the researchers used a method called ancestral sequence reconstruction. By analyzing DNA from modern plants, they were able to predict what ancient enzymes likely looked like millions of years ago. These recreated versions, known as ancestral enzymes, were then produced in the laboratory and tested directly. The results offer the first experimental evidence that cannabinoid production, including compounds such as THC, began in a relatively recent ancestor of cannabis and became more refined as the plant evolved. This process helped shape the complex chemical pro in cannabis today. New Insights With Biotech Potential Beyond revealing how cannabis chemistry evolved, the study highlights practical opportunities. The reconstructed ancient enzymes turned out to be easier to produce in micro-organisms, such as yeast cells, than modern cannabis enzymes. This matters because cannabinoids are increasingly manufactured using biotechnological methods rather than grown directly in plants. "What once seemed evolutionarily 'unfinished' turns out to be highly useful," says WUR researcher Robin van Velzen, who led the study with colleague Cloé Villard. "These ancestral enzymes are more robust and flexible than their descendants, which makes them very attractive starting points for new applications in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research." Toward New Medicinal Cannabis Varieties One recreated enzyme stood out because it produces CBC very specifically, a cannabinoid known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. "At present, there is no cannabis plant with a naturally high CBC content. Introducing this enzyme into a cannabis plant could therefore lead to innovative medicinal varieties," Van Velzen explains. Together, the findings show how studying ancient plant DNA can deepen our understanding of evolution while also opening the door to new ways of producing medically valuable cannabis compounds.

MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gelteq Limited (“Gelteq” or the “Company”), a clinical and science-based developer of advanced gel-based oral delivery systems, today announced positive results from a recently completed preclinical study which evaluated medicinal cannabinoids delivery through the Company’s proprietary oral gel platform. The findings demonstrate that Gelteq’s platform significantly enhances the absorption and bioavailability of cannabidiol (“CBD”) compared to an existing FDA approved oil-based product. The preliminary results reinforces our platform’s potential to change how medicinal cannabis is delivered and experienced by patients. Despite having a much lower concentration of CBD, Gelteq’s formulation achieved greater than 22% increase in bioavailability along with a higher peak exposure. As such, the results demonstrate that our oral gel platform enhances the delivery of lipophilic cannabinoid molecules and delivers more efficient uptake in the body. These results create a clear pathway for a potential expedited market launch of new medicinal cannabis products in Australia via the Special Access Scheme (“SAS”) which could position Gelteq for efficient entry into additional global markets. The SAS is an Australian Government program that allows authorised healthcare practitioners to prescribe medicinal cannabis products to patients without the products undergoing the full Therapeutic Goods Administration (“TGA”) approval process. As a resault, the SAS could potentially grant our oral gel platform earlier patient access and a faster pathway to market. A Major Advancement for Medicinal Cannabis Patients These results represent a meaningful step forward for patients who rely on medicinal cannabis, extracts or cannabinoids for therapeutic outcomes. Traditional products such as CBD oils and vapes often present challenges which include variable dosing, slow onset, inconsistent absorption, unpleasant taste, and inhalation-related risks. Gelteq’s oral gel platform overcomes these limitations by offering a safer, predictable and more convenient alternative. As Gelteq’s oral gel platform improves bioavailability, patients may achieve therapeutic effects with lower doses which could reduce exposure to unnecessary excipients or cannabinoids. The oral gel format enables pre-measured and precise dosing with no use of droppers and no reliance on food timing which enables treatment consistentency and greater convenience. Importantly, the gel also provides a non-invasive alternative to vaping which is expected to alleviate concerns around respiratory irritation or long-term inhalation safety. The ease of administration also makes the gel well-suited for patient groups that traditionally struggle with oils or capsules such as paediatric, geriatric, and palliative-care populations. A Potential Commercial Breakthrough for Gelteq in the Global Medicinal Cannabis Sector We believe the preliminary results could open the door to significant global commercial opportunities. Medicinal cannabis is one of the fastest-growing therapeutic markets worldwide1 and product differentiation is increasingly driven by delivery innovation. With the ability to enhance absorption, simplify dosing, and improve patient experience, Gelteq’s oral gel platform could enable cannabis producers to improve their offerings beyond conventional oils, vapes or tinctures. Importantly, the study’s outcome means that Gelteq could directly partner with medicinal cannabis companies without the need for additional studies for this product format. This could accelerate potential licensing, white-label manufacturing, and co-development opportunities across a range of cannabinoid-based products which includes CBD, THC, balanced ratios, minor cannabinoids, and even combination cannabinoid–nutraceutical formulations. The Australian government’s SAS program could also enable Gelteq to bring products to market more rapidly which could generate early revenues and establish a viable product to support broader international expansion. Positioning Gelteq as a Leader in Advanced Oral Delivery Solutions The improved bioavailability of medicinally relevant cannabinoids as delivered by our oral gel platform further validates Gelteq’s position in advanced oral-delivery technologies. By enabling a simpler and more effective cannabinoid administration, our oral gel platform aims to support the next generation of medicinal cannabis products designed around patient needs and meet modern clinical expectations. About Gelteq Ltd. Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Gelteq (NASDAQ: GELS) is a biotechnology company that has developed a novel drug delivery platform in an ingestible gel form. Gelteq specializes in the formulation, development and manufacturing of gel products for licensed partners across pharmaceutical, consumer health and animal health markets. The proprietary formulation technology aims to address challenges associated with conventional drug and nutrient delivery by enhancing bioavailability, improving patient compliance, and enabling precise dosing. For more information, visit www.gelteq.com. Gelteq Contact:Investor RelationsMatt Kreps, Darrow Associates IR+1-214-597-8200mkreps@darrowir.com Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained herein are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, refer to Gelteq’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on November 17, 2025. Gelteq undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Business Research Insights. (2025). Medicinal Cannabis Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, by Type (Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD)), by Application (pain, arthritis, neurological disease and other), and Regional Forecast to 2035.