Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Technology Transfer Company Yissum and Multidisciplinary Center for Cannabinoid Research (MCCR) have publicized a newly-inked collaboration with TechforCann Europe Accelerator to bolster the European medical cannabis market.

Since no other accelerator program has been implemented to strengthen medical cannabis technologies, TechforCann Europe is sure to gain some intense media coverage. As per the website, the aim of the program is to spotlight and nourish startup IP-based companies with the prospect of exit and IPO. 

The accelerator is being funded by the Maltese government to the amount of 2.5 million Euros (USD$2.8 million). A total of 20 winning startup companies will be supported over an 18-month period with the funds.

What does the hybrid acceleration program entail?

Business owners who specialize in resolving supply chain problems are the main focus for Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s hybrid acceleration program. 

Specifically, the program targets entrepreneurs who work exclusively with precision agriculture, digital health, product technologies and healthcare/biotech services.

The primary goal of Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s hybrid acceleration program is to encourage faster milestone accomplishment with a reduced margin of error. 

Consequently, this will enhance company valuation and success prospects. International audiences will be given the opportunity to access the Hebrew University Medical Cannabis online curriculum via the accelerator platform. 

Based on details of the official press release, researchers who are associated with Hebrew University MCCR will take on the role of advisory board members, consultants and prospective job applicants for the globally accepted startup companies participating in the TechforCann Europe accelerator program.

“Partnering with such important and world-breaking institutions such as Yissum and the MCCR validates our goal of supporting early-stage IP based startups from around the world who are solving challenges across the medical cannabis supply chain,” said the CEO of TechforCann Europe Accelerator, Lilac Mandeles. 

Furthermore, TechforCann Europe will invite companies to join forces for product co-development and licensing via a string of innovative research projects.

“We are excited to nurture and promote top-tier research that is currently being conducted, as well as offer our startups access to world-leading clinicians and researchers and cut the time to market for these remarkable innovations.” added Mandeles.

MCCR is Israel’s largest cannabis research center

Not only is the MCCR one of the few global centers where groundbreaking research is carried out into cannabinoids, endocannabinoids and medical cannabis but also, it is acknowledged as the largest center of its kind in Israel.

The following main subject areas are studied at the center:

• Cancer
• Drug delivery 
• Euroscience
• Inflammation 
• Immunity
• Metabolism
• Nanotechnology
• Pharmaceutical chemistry
• Pain
• Plant science and genetics
• Stress management.

One of our major objectives at MCCR is to foster collaborations between our own teams and other groups around the globe who are conducting medical cannabis research,” said Professor Yossi Tam, Director of the MCCR, Associate Professor of Pharmacology, and Head of the Obesity & Metabolism Laboratory at Hebrew University. 

“One of our priorities is a cannabis-based synthetic API which may change people’s lives. For example, we have recently completed pre-clinical work with a synthetic derivative of cannabinoid-acid, demonstrating its efficacy in treating obesity, and we have a lot more research in the pipeline.”

Additional information on this collaboration, please visit the TechforCannEurope website.