Long Beach, CA, April 22, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Emerald Bioscience, Inc. (OTCQB: EMBI), a biopharmaceutical company focused on bioengineered cannabinoid-based therapeutics to address global medical indications, today announced members of the company’s Ophthalmology Scientific Advisory Board (OSAB). The purpose of the OSAB is to provide scientific and clinical guidance relating to EMBI’s proprietary cannabinoid-based drug platform to address diseases of the eye.

“Emerald Bioscience is leading the development of cannabinoid-based therapeutics to address diseases of the eye. We are honored to have these world-class thought leaders in ophthalmology affiliated with our research programs,” noted Brian Murphy, MD, CEO and Chief Medical Officer of EMBI. “Based on data from our upcoming trials coupled with guidance from our advisors, we plan to examine broadening our efforts into indications beyond glaucoma, particularly those associated with vision loss due to direct damage to the cells comprising the optic nerve.”

The following globally recognized researchers will be serving on the OSAB:

Jeffrey Goldberg, MD, PhD, is Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology and Director of the Spencer Center for Vision Research at the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University. He received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Yale University, and his M.D./Ph.D. from Stanford University. Dr. Goldberg is a distinguished researcher investigating neuroprotection and regeneration of retinal ganglion cells and the optic nerve, a major unmet need in glaucoma and other optic neuropathies. He received the Cogan award from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in 2012 and was elected in 2010 to the American Society of Clinical Investigation, an honorary society of physician scientists. Dr. Goldberg directs an NIH-funded research laboratory and has developed significant expertise with implementing clinical trials addressing optic nerve neuroprotection and regeneration. His laboratory is developing novel nanotherapeutic approaches for eye repair in addition to validating biomarkers associated with neuroprotection.

is Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology and Director of the Spencer Center for Vision Research at the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University. He received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Yale University, and his M.D./Ph.D. from Stanford University. Dr. Goldberg is a distinguished researcher investigating neuroprotection and regeneration of retinal ganglion cells and the optic nerve, a major unmet need in glaucoma and other optic neuropathies. He received the Cogan award from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in 2012 and was elected in 2010 to the American Society of Clinical Investigation, an honorary society of physician scientists. Dr. Goldberg directs an NIH-funded research laboratory and has developed significant expertise with implementing clinical trials addressing optic nerve neuroprotection and regeneration. His laboratory is developing novel nanotherapeutic approaches for eye repair in addition to validating biomarkers associated with neuroprotection. Louis Pasquale, MD, FARVO , is Professor of Ophthalmology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Manhattan College and earned his M.D. degree from SUNY Stony Brook where he was selected for Alpha Omega Alpha, the national honor medical society. Dr. Pasquale is Site Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Mt. Sinai Hospital and Vice Chair of Translational Ophthalmology Research for the Mount Sinai Healthcare System. He currently serves as Glaucoma Trustee for the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) and is a member of the National Institute of Health’s National Advisory Eye Council. He is a member of multiple editorial boards, including the Journal of Glaucoma, the American Journal of Ophthalmology, and Ophthalmology Glaucoma. Dr. Pasquale is an NIH Principal Investigator with continuous support since 2006.

, is Professor of Ophthalmology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Manhattan College and earned his M.D. degree from SUNY Stony Brook where he was selected for Alpha Omega Alpha, the national honor medical society. Dr. Pasquale is Site Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Mt. Sinai Hospital and Vice Chair of Translational Ophthalmology Research for the Mount Sinai Healthcare System. He currently serves as Glaucoma Trustee for the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) and is a member of the National Institute of Health’s National Advisory Eye Council. He is a member of multiple editorial boards, including the Journal of Glaucoma, the American Journal of Ophthalmology, and Ophthalmology Glaucoma. Dr. Pasquale is an NIH Principal Investigator with continuous support since 2006. Robert Ritch, MD, holds the Shelley and Steven Einhorn Distinguished Chair in Ophthalmology and is Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Mt. Sinai Medical School and Surgeon Director Emeritus and Chief of Glaucoma Services at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York City. Dr. Ritch received his undergraduate degree from Harvard College and an M.D. degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He founded the Glaucoma Foundation and has contributed to multiple textbooks of ophthalmology, including more than 1500 published medical and scientific articles and abstracts. He has given over 50 named lectures and received 60 national and international awards. Dr. Ritch has served on the editorial boards of a number of professional journals including the Journal of Glaucoma, the Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology, and the Archives of Ophthalmology. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology as well as a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Royal College of Ophthalmology.

About Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness with more than 70 million patients aﬀected worldwide. The market for glaucoma drugs is projected to be approximately $6.6 billion in 2023 but could rise further with the introduction of innovative therapies into Asian markets like China and India (MarketScope). Lowering intraocular pressure is the current mainstay of therapy. Newer innovative therapeutics, particularly cannabinoid-based drug candidates, look not only to lower intraocular pressure but also prevent vision loss through direct neuroprotection of the retinal ganglion cells that comprise the optic nerve.

About Emerald Bioscience, Inc.

Emerald Bioscience is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Long Beach, California, focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of bioengineered cannabinoid-based therapeutics for significant unmet medical needs in global markets. With proprietary technology licensed from the University of Mississippi, Emerald is developing novel ways to deliver cannabinoid-based drugs for specific indications with the aim of optimizing the clinical effects of such drugs while limiting potential adverse events. Emerald's strategy is to clinically develop a number of proprietary biosynthetic compounds, alone or in combination with corporate partners.

Emerald Bioscience is part of the Emerald Group, which comprises multiple companies focused on developing pharmaceutical, botanical, and nutraceutical products providing wellness and medical benefits by interacting with the human body’s endocannabinoid system.

For more information, visit www.emeraldbio.life

CONTACT

Emerald Bioscience Investor Relations

Emerald Health Sciences

Karam Takhar

Email: ktakhar@emerald.life

Phone: 604-961-1766

Douglas Cesario

Chief Financial Officer

Email: doug@emeraldbio.life

Phone: 949-336-3437

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our product development, business strategy, product branding, timing of clinical trials and commercialization of cannabinoid-based therapeutics. Such statements and other statements in this press release that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price could be materially negatively affected. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology including “anticipated,” “contemplates,” “goal,” “focus,” “aims,” “intends,” “believes,” “can,” “could,” “challenge,” “predictable,” “will,” “would,” “may” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. We operate in a rapidly changing environment and new risks emerge from time to time. As a result, it is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements the Emerald may make. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, our capital resources, uncertainty regarding the results of future testing and development efforts and other risks that are described in the Risk Factors section of Emerald’ most recent annual or quarterly report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as expressly required by law, Emerald disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.