Kannalife, Inc. announced that it has further elucidated the mechanism of action (MOA) of its investigative drug candidate KLS-13019, a CBD-like molecule for the potential treatment of neuropathic pain. Through extensive pre-clinical testing and under a NIH-NIDA Phase 1 grant study, Kannalife has identified a potent, non-opioid alternative to the frontline treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Under the recently completed NIH-NIDA Phase 1 grant study, Kannalife’s research has shown that its leading drug candidate KLS-13019 plays an important role in the regulation of mNCX-1, an important pharmacological target in the prevention and in-part reversal of CIPN in the pre-clinical animal model. In comparison with CBD and morphine, KLS-13019 stood out as a viable drug candidate that out-performed CBD and poses as a viable alternative to the use of opioids as the frontline current standard of care for patients suffering from CIPN. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a disabling pain condition that afflicts between 30%-40% of patients undergoing chemotherapy, for which there is no effective prevention strategy and treatment of established chronic CIPN is limited. Existing treatment options primarily include anticonvulsants and antidepressants, as well as opioids in more severe cases of CIPN. The global market for neuropathic pain was valued at more than $5 Billion in 2015, and in 2016, CIPN accounted for more than 42% of market revenue. It’s estimated that by 2024, the total global neuropathic pain market will be worth more than $8.3 Billion.