The danger of painkillers couldn’t be ignored forever. And it’s about time the era of opioids for pain relief ends. Vertanical, a Munich-based pharmaceutical company, is developing a cannabinoid-based extract called Ver-01 to treat chronic pain, aiming to become an approved medicine in the European Union and later the United States. The drug, which contains low levels of cannabinoids including THC, avoids causing intoxication while relieving pain. Clemens Fischer, the 50-year-old founder of Vertanical, envisions it as the first cannabis-based painkiller prescribed by physicians and covered by insurance.
Fischer, a serial entrepreneur who built a $1 billion fortune through his Futrue Group, has invested over $250 million of his own money in Vertanical since its 2017 founding. Clinical trials show Ver-01 is more effective than opioid painkillers with fewer side effects, including no evidence of addiction. The company awaits approval from German and Austrian authorities, with plans to expand across the EU and initiate U.S. Phase III trials in 2026.
Sarah Gaus, a 39-year-old participant in Vertanical’s 2023 trial, reported Ver-01 worked better than opioids for her chronic lower back pain but noted initial side effects like drowsiness and impaired concentration. Despite these challenges, she experienced no withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing the medication. The company emphasizes its focus on pharmaceutical development over recreational cannabis, citing financial hurdles in the U.S. marijuana industry.