Clinical Research Unit
Bedrocan has its own research centre where clinical research is conducted into the effects of medicinal cannabis in humans. The Clinical Research Unit is located in Utrecht, Netherlands, and started the first study in 2024.
Bedrocan believes it is pivotal to investigate the effects of the cannabis varieties it produces. In the last years various research has been done with Bedrocan’s cannabis products, but solid clinical evidence on the efficacy in treating different conditions is still lacking. Bedrocan wants to fill this gap and set the agenda by creating a coherent clinical research program focusing on chronic neuropathic pain. The ultimate goal is to gather sufficient data to have our cannabis products officially recognised as medicines. This way, doctors can prescribe medicinal cannabis from Bedrocan without hesitation. We work together with MYCB1 Apotheek, Clinical Cannabis Care and Lab Ofichem.
Meet the research team
Mikael Kowal
Chief Scientific Officer
Dr Mikael Kowal has over ten years of experience in cannabis clinical trials. As Bedrocan’s Chief Scientific Officer, Mikael coordinates the company’s scientific research efforts. He monitors scientific developments concerning cannabis and maintains close ties with research institutions worldwide.
Matthijs Bossong
Head of Clinical Research
Dr Matthijs Bossong is a neuroscientist and pharmacologist. As head of clinical research, he is responsible for the daily management of the research team and the clinical research into the effectiveness and safety of medicinal cannabis. Bossong obtained his PhD on the acute effects of cannabis on the human brain. As a scientist at UMC Utrecht, King’s College London and Leiden University, he has gained years of experience in research in the fields of cannabis, psychiatry and brain function.
Nadia Leen
Clinical Research Associate
Dr Nadia Leen is an experimental psychologist responsible for the coordination, implementation and data collection of the clinical research. Nadia obtained her PhD at the Brain Research and Innovation Centre where she conducted research into the role of the endocannabinoid system in soldiers with anxiety and psychological trauma. She has also started a clinical trial into the effects of CBD (cannabidiol) in soldiers with anxiety disorders and PTSD.
Clinical research
Clinical research is systematic research into the safety and efficacy of medicines or medical devices. In a clinical study, people are the test subjects. It is intended to determine or confirm the clinical, pharmacological or other pharmacodynamic effects of a drug, and identify any side-effects. Solid clinical research is required to register medicines with regulatory agencies, and is specially imperative for medicinal cannabis.
