George Scorsis is an entrepreneur and CEO with over 15 years of experience working in Toronto, Florida, and Maryland. As the Executive Chairman of Entourage Health, George has been a leader in the cannabis industry since 2018, leading the company’s dedication to providing patients with high-quality medical cannabis. Scorsis is a current Board Member of Shuttle Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc., a company dedicated to developing advanced precision medicine in oncology. His experience in pharmaceuticals, regulatory frameworks, and patient-focused care makes him a trusted voice behind medical cannabis development.
In this discussion, George Scorsis talks about how cannabis is transforming the pharmaceutical industry, the potential for cannabinoid-based drug development, and what’s needed for cannabis to be a normalized treatment in healthcare.
Q: Medical people often view cannabis as distinct from conventional pharmaceuticals. Do you feel that this distinction will change in the coming years?
GEORGE SCORSIS: First, medicinal cannabis is an emerging market that still has not received full acceptance from the Medical Community. Researchers treat it differently from recreational cannabis and traditional pharmaceuticals. But we’re starting to see a change, with more companies developing cannabis-based drugs that go through the same rigorous approval process as prescription meds. This is a vital step towards wider acceptance by healthcare providers, insurers, and regulatory bodies. As the FDA and Health Canada approve more cannabis-based medicines, we’ll see them enter mainstream pharmaceutical treatments.
Q: Shuttle Pharmaceuticals is a precision medicine company with a focus on oncology. Do you see a role for cannabis in treating cancer?
GEORGE SCORSIS: In addition, there’s a lot of research now that suggests that cannabis can help manage cancer symptoms. Doctors already use cannabis to reduce nausea, pain and appetite loss from chemotherapy, but scientists are now testing its cancer-fighting potential. Several studies suggest that cannabinoids might have anti-inflammatory effects. That said, we need larger clinical trials to move from anecdotal evidence to proven therapies. Shuttle Pharmaceuticals is on the outside edge of this change, exploring ways to use cannabis in personalized therapies.
Q: What is one of the biggest challenges in developing cannabis-based medicine?
GEORGE SCORSIS: Next, regulatory approval requires conventional pharmacies have a stringent process of clinical trials, peer-reviewed studies, and regulatory filings before regulators approve a drug for the market. Cannabis presents more obstacles since it was classified as a controlled substance until its legalization a few years ago. Medical cannabis was just getting approved for medical purposes in Florida when I left to move to Canada. Even then, the state still had very strict rules around it, and there was still some stigma. This means limited money for research, uneven global regulations and disparate dosing recommendations. However, recent research and growing acceptance of cannabis-based treatment by the medical industry are beginning to change that. The important thing is continuing to create credible clinical data to support these therapies.
Q: What role do you envision artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology playing in the future of cannabis medicine?
GEORGE SCORSIS: Meanwhile, AI and biotech are already disrupting the industry from drug development, and cannabis medicine is no different. One of the areas AI helps researchers analyze huge amounts of patient data to understand the interaction of different cannabinoids on various medical conditions, making room for more targeted and effective treatments. Biotech companies are also developing synthetic cannabinoids. These lab-created compounds mimic natural cannabis and allow for more precise dosing. Such developments would narrow the gap between medicinal cannabis and conventional medicines. They would make cannabis-based treatments more predictable and accepted.
Q: What place will cannabis-based pharmaceuticals have in the future of personalized medicine?
GEORGE SCORSIS: Finally, personalized medicine likely offers the greatest opportunity for cannabis-based pharmaceuticals. Cannabis interacts with the body in different ways in different people, due to their differing genetics, metabolism, and health profiles. New developments in genetic testing and precision medicine will support targeted cannabis interventions. These treatments can fit each individual’s profile. For instance, certain cannabinoid and terpene profiles could be made for chronic pain or neurological diseases. This personalization will improve treatment efficacy and lower side effects. It can make cannabis-based medicines more consistent and effective for patient care.
