Vitality Biopharma Announces Expansion of Prodrug Pharmaceutical Portfolio

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Aug 24, 2016) - Vitality Biopharma, Inc. (OTCQB: VBIO) ("Vitality" or the "Company") a corporation dedicated to the development of cannabinoid prodrug pharmaceuticals, and to unlocking the power of cannabinoids for the treatment of serious neurological and inflammatory disorders, today announced a significant expansion of its glycoside prodrug intellectual property portfolio through the filing of U.S. patent application 62/363,808, which expands upon two previous patent applications filed in late 2015.

Vitality Biopharma's intellectual property portfolio now includes novel pharmaceutical prodrugs of all major phytocannabinoids, which are derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, plus all major endocannabinoids, which are the cannabinoid signaling molecules that are produced within the body. In addition, the new patent filing includes glycoside prodrugs of a variety of additional compounds, such as synaptamide, which promotes neural repair, as well as vanilloids, which are known to provide pain relief through targeting of the TRPV1 receptor.

The pain receptor TRPV1 is also known as the receptor for capsaicin, the irritating compound in hot chili peppers, and upon activation it induces a sensation of scalding heat and pain. These receptors may play an important role in visceral or abdominal pain generally, and especially in inflammatory bowel disease. The receptors are typically elevated more than 3-fold in these patients, making them hyper-sensitive to pain.

Drugs that target TRPV1, including some cannabinoids, can desensitize the body to their effects. It has been estimated that more than $1 billion has been invested in compounds that target TRPV1 by more than 50 pharmaceutical companies. Market analysis firm Research and Markets reports that pain is the leading cause of disability in the U.S., affecting 116 million adults, more than heart disease, cancer, and diabetes combined. The 2015 branded pain therapeutics market segment had total revenues of approximately $11.3 billion.

Site-specific delivery of TRPV1 modulators could enable therapeutic benefits while avoiding well known side effects upon activation, such as a burning sensation in the mouth or upper GI tract, or other side effects that occur when TRPV1 modulators are delivered into the bloodstream and throughout the body. The pain relief effects of these drugs may also be sustained, as administration of a 1-hour capsaicin treatment can last for several months.

"Our glycosylation platform has now yielded a diverse array of pharmaceutical prodrugs, including cannabosides and other compounds that can exert potent anti-inflammatory effects and pain relief," said Robert Brooke, Chief Executive Officer of Vitality Biopharma. "The benefit is clear for inflammatory bowel disease, and we look forward to examining their potential in other disease indications as well."

About Vitality Biopharma (OTCQB: VBIO)
Vitality Biopharma is dedicated to unlocking the power of cannabinoids for the treatment of serious neurological and inflammatory disorders. For more information, visit: www.vitality.bio. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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