Vertanical, a Munich-based pharmaceutical company, is developing a cannabinoid-based extract to treat chronic pain, aiming to replace opioid-based medications. The drug, named Ver-01, contains low levels of cannabinoids, including THC, but is designed to avoid causing euphoria or impairment. The company hopes to secure approval in the European Union and later in the United States, positioning it as a prescribed medication rather than a cannabis product.

Clemens Fischer, the 50-year-old founder of Vertanical, established the company in 2017 with business partner Madlena Hohlefelder. A serial entrepreneur, Fischer has built a $1 billion fortune through his Futrue Group, which oversees multiple pharmaceutical and research firms. He emphasizes that Ver-01 is not linked to the cannabis industry, citing financial challenges faced by marijuana businesses in the U.S. due to federal restrictions.

Clinical trials suggest Ver-01 outperforms opioid painkillers with fewer side effects, including no evidence of addiction. The company awaits regulatory decisions from German and Austrian authorities, with plans to expand across the EU and initiate Phase III trials in the U.S. by 2026.

Sarah Gaus, a 39-year-old participant in Vertanical’s 2023 trial, reported improved pain relief compared to opioids but noted initial side effects such as drowsiness and blurred vision. She described the treatment as effective but not transformative.

The company’s focus remains on pharmaceutical development rather than recreational cannabis products, with Fischer positioning Ver-01 as a potential alternative to traditional painkillers.