UNITED KINGDOM, June 17, 2026
Ananda Pharma Limited has announced that the first patient has been dosed in the ACTiON Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating MRX1, the company’s proprietary cannabidiol (CBD)-based oral drug candidate, for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). The first participant has been successfully recruited, randomized, and administered either MRX1 or placebo as part of the study, marking an important milestone in the development of a potential therapy for one of the most common and debilitating side effects of cancer treatment. MRX1 is a patent-pending formulation being developed to address the significant unmet need in patients suffering from nerve damage caused by chemotherapy. The trial represents another key advancement in Ananda Pharma’s clinical pipeline, which is focused on developing regulatory-approved cannabidiol medicines for complex chronic diseases, including chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and endometriosis.
Phase 2 Trial Evaluates Safety, Efficacy and Quality of Life
The ACTiON study is a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial led by Professor Marie Fallon at the University of Edinburgh and funded through a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) grant. The study aims to enroll 92 participants and is designed to evaluate both the efficacy and safety of MRX1 in patients experiencing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. In addition to measuring pain relief and symptom improvement, investigators will assess the treatment’s impact on patient quality of life, daily functioning, and healthcare utilization, providing a comprehensive understanding of MRX1’s potential clinical value. As a rigorously designed placebo-controlled study, the ACTiON trial is expected to generate high-quality clinical evidence supporting the future development of cannabidiol-based therapies for cancer-related neurological complications.
Addressing a Major Unmet Need in Cancer Supportive Care
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) remains one of the most common and challenging complications associated with cancer treatment, affecting hundreds of thousands of patients every year while significantly reducing quality of life. The condition can cause persistent pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and nerve dysfunction, often continuing long after chemotherapy has ended. In many cases, severe CIPN forces physicians to reduce chemotherapy doses or discontinue treatment, potentially compromising cancer outcomes. According to Ananda Pharma, more than 140,000 new cases occur annually in the United Kingdom, with nearly one million people living with the condition, while approximately 400,000 new cases are reported each year in the United States, generating an estimated $2.5 billion in annual healthcare costs. Despite its widespread impact, no highly effective approved therapies currently exist, making the development of new treatment options such as MRX1 particularly important for oncology supportive care.
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Ananda Pharma Expands Cannabidiol-Based Clinical Development
The successful dosing of the first patient reinforces Ananda Pharma’s strategy of advancing CBD-based medicines through well-designed clinical trials targeting serious chronic medical conditions. Alongside the ACTiON trial for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, the company is also supporting the ENDOCAN Phase 2 clinical study, which is investigating MRX1 for the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain, funded by NHS Scotland. By collaborating with leading academic researchers and key opinion leaders at the University of Edinburgh, Ananda aims to build robust clinical evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol in areas where existing treatment options remain limited. The initiation of patient dosing in ACTiON marks an important step toward evaluating whether MRX1 can become a safe and effective therapy capable of improving symptoms, preserving chemotherapy treatment, and enhancing quality of life for patients affected by chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Source:Ananda Pharma press release
