The danger of painkillers couldn’t be ignored forever. The era of opioids for pain management must end, according to Clemens Fischer, a 50-year-old German medical doctor and entrepreneur. Fischer, founder of Munich-based pharmaceutical company Vertanical, is developing Ver-01, a cannabinoid-based extract designed to treat chronic pain without the risks of addiction. The drug, which contains low levels of cannabinoids including THC, aims to provide relief while avoiding the psychoactive effects associated with cannabis. If approved, it would be prescribed by physicians rather than sold in dispensaries.

Fischer, who built a $1 billion fortune through his Futrue Group—a holding company overseeing 20 drug and R&D firms—has invested over $250 million of his own money into Vertanical since its 2017 founding with business partner Madlena Hohlefelder. Clinical trials suggest Ver-01 is more effective than opioid painkillers with fewer side effects, including no evidence of addiction. The company awaits regulatory decisions from German and Austrian authorities, aiming for EU-wide approval and U.S. Phase III trials by 2026.

Sarah Gaus, a 39-year-old German woman with chronic lower back pain, participated in Vertanical’s 2023 trial. She reported Ver-01 worked better than opioids but noted initial side effects like drowsiness and impaired concentration. Despite these drawbacks, she experienced no withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing the treatment.

The article also includes promotional content for X39 patches and IceWave pain relief products, which were not part of the original text’s focus. These sections highlight alternative treatments but lack scientific validation. The piece concludes with a disclaimer about affiliate partnerships and a note on comment policies, both of which are excluded from the final rewrite.