Cannabis-Derived Painkiller Exilby Heads for German Pharmacies as Preventive Care Budgets Take a Hit
12.06.2026 - 15:49:35 | boerse-global.de
Chronic lower-back pain sufferers in Germany and Austria will soon gain access to a novel cannabis-based medicine, Exilby (VER-01), developed by the Bavarian pharmaceutical firm Vertanical in Gräfelfing. The drug, specifically approved for chronic pain in the lower back with a neuropathic component—meaning nerve involvement—is scheduled to hit the market in September 2026. Founder Clemens Fischer says the goal is to offer a genuine alternative to strong opioids.
Clinical trials involving more than 1,200 patients showed a pain reduction of 2.7 points on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), with a 1.5-point advantage over placebo. Reported side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. Fischer highlights that the drug produces fewer digestive issues and no signs of dependence. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has already designated VER-01 a Breakthrough Therapy, with a U.S. approval anticipated around 2028/2029. Britain is next on the list of European target markets.
Medical experts remain measured. Pain specialist Jansen called the development promising but warned against inflated expectations, stating that a fundamental paradigm shift is not on the horizon.
While new therapies like Exilby are approved, Germany’s preventive-health infrastructure is under pressure. The Bundestag debated a savings package for statutory health insurance on the same day the drug’s launch was announced. Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) proposes capping budgets for prevention and early-detection services. Physician associations have protested, warning of longer waiting times and reduced outpatient care.
Bavaria’s Health Minister Judith Gerlach sharply criticized the plans. She noted that the federal government is cutting subsidies for non-insurance-related benefits by €2 billion annually—while the underfunding for recipients of the citizen’s benefit (Bürgergeld) is even higher. Gerlach warned of a “financial wildfire” spreading through hospitals.
In a separate piece of health news, a Norwegian study with 284 participants has cast doubt on the conventional wisdom that rapid weight loss triggers a strong yo-yo effect. Researchers found that a very-low-calorie diet (under 1,000 kcal per day) can lead to better long-term results than gradual reduction. After twelve months, the fast-loss group had shed 14.4 percent of their initial weight, compared to 10.5 percent in the slow-loss group, with no amplified rebound effect observed.
Marking Cholesterol Day, experts reminded the public of strict LDL targets. The 2025 EU guidelines set goals below 55 mg/dL for high-risk patients and below 70 mg/dL for others. Yet more than 80 percent of high-risk patients in Germany are not optimally treated—a figure described as alarming.
