While doctors who would have patients "smoke two of these and call me in the morning" snag headlines, serious marijuana research could result in a Lexington company offering a new treatment for a painful disorder.

And it doesn't involve smoking pot.

Indevus Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Lexington secured the right to use a patented compound it calls IP 751. The compound was discovered by a group of academic researchers who also happen to be from Massachusetts.

Sumner Burstein of Farmington, Lawrence Recht of Holden and Robert Zurier of Princeton assigned the patent for the compound to Indevus, and Indevus licensed the rights to IP 751.

Burstein led the group through research and development of a THC-based compound that they found could stop cancer cell growth in humans.

THC, Tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive component in marijuana.

It gets pot smokers high.

Advocates for medical marijuana legalization have argued that smoking marijuana can ease the pain of chemotherapy for cancer patients, and can also ease the pain associated with AIDS.

Burstein, Recht and Zurier found certain acid compounds in THC can also inhibit cancer cell growth.

A different application

But Indevus is not in the cancer drug business, said Robin DeCarlo, the company's senior manager of corporate communications.

Indevus "is focused on urology and endocrinology diseases," DeCarlo said.

DeCarlo said Indevus would use IP 751, the cannabis derivative, "as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic compound."

The company has tested IP 751 as a pain treatment, and DeCarlo said it could be used as a treatment for interstitial cystitis, a painful bladder condition.

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder. Its cause is unknown. "Common" cystitis, also known as a urinary tract infection, is caused by bacteria and is usually treated with antibiotics.

Scientists don't think bacteria causes interstitial cystitis. The condition doesn't respond to conventional antibiotic therapy.

IP 751 wouldn't treat the condition itself, but would be used as a pain reliever for interstitial cystitis sufferers.

The Interstitial Cystitis Association is optimistic about IP 751 and other developments that include treatments that are implanted in the bladder, and another based on the plant St. John's Wort.

Stigma

DeCarlo said IP 751's progress shouldn't be hampered by the fact that it is derived from THC. "I have may own opinion" on whether there's still a stigma attached to marijuana research, she said, but wouldn't elaborate.

Indevus acquires, develops and commercializes biopharmaceutical products. The company focuses on urology, gynecology and men's health. It is best known for Sanctura, a treatment for overactive bladder.

The company doesn't necessarily go after unproven drug discoveries. It instead tries to acquire compounds with clear, clinical trial potential, and which the company can easily market.

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