by Rainer Krüger and Dr Lisann Eßer, J&K Consulting
The prescription of medical cannabis in Germany has been steadily increasing in recent years, leading to growth in both demand and the market. However, medical cannabis consists of medicinal products whose active ingredient composition and concentration depend on the plant’s genetics and therefore – depending on the genetics – produce different effects in patients.
By sequencing genomes and comparing the sequences of different strains, the aim is to identify characteristic genes and establish gene databases in the future. Sequencing is a molecular biology technique used to decipher the nucleotide sequence of the genetic code. With the help of this technique, medical cannabis producers can decide, even before cultivation begins, which genetics – and thus which combination and concentrations of active compounds – they wish to target in the cannabis plants. By sequencing the plants produced, manufacturers can clearly define their product and thus ensure unambiguous traceability. Furthermore, targeted breeding can enhance the expression of certain genes, thereby optimising yield. Sequencing generates large amounts of product-specific data, the management and access to which can be achieved through blockchain technology.
This article explains the methodology behind plant genome sequencing and the benefits this offers to manufacturers and patients. It describes how large volumes of sequencing data are managed using digital tools and how pharmaceutical companies can harness the resulting potential.
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