Millions of women around the world suffer from endometriosis—a chronic and often debilitating condition that has no cure and remains severely underfunded in medical research. As conventional treatments fall short, many have turned to cannabis-derived products, especially CBD, hoping for relief. But with most products lacking medical approval or scientific validation, the results are inconsistent—and often risky.
Melissa Sturgess, CEO of London-based biotech company Ananda Pharma, sees this not only as a public health gap but as an opportunity for transformation. Her company is on track to develop the first regulator-approved CBD-based treatment specifically for endometriosis pain—one backed by clinical data and designed for real-world use.
“We were approached by doctors who were seeing demand directly from patients,” says Sturgess. “But without a proven product, they had nothing safe or reliable to prescribe.”
A Serious Condition, Still Overlooked
Endometriosis affects an estimated 10% of women of reproductive age globally, according to the World Health Organization. Yet, in the U.S., only about 0.038% of the National Institutes of Health budget goes toward studying it.
This leaves millions with few options beyond painkillers, hormone therapy, or surgery—treatments that often come with major side effects or limited results. Unsurprisingly, many patients have turned to cannabidiol (CBD), the non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis. But most of what’s available in the market isn’t held to pharmaceutical standards, especially in the U.S., where CBD can be found everywhere from gas stations to boutique wellness shops.
Research Over Retail
Sturgess believes that in order to gain acceptance from regulators, doctors, and insurers, the cannabis sector needs to do what traditional medicine has always done: prove it works.
That’s why Ananda is investing in randomized, placebo-controlled studies—the gold standard for drug development. Earlier this year, the company completed a hospital-based study on healthy volunteers. Results from that trial will inform a larger clinical trial with endometriosis patients set for 2026.
The goal is clear: make MRX-1 a prescribable, reimbursable medicine for women suffering from chronic pain.
If successful, MRX-1 would not only be a breakthrough for women’s health—it would also be a milestone for the cannabis industry. It would demonstrate that naturally derived cannabinoids can meet rigorous medical standards, similar to the path followed by Epidiolex, the only FDA-approved CBD drug, currently used to treat severe epilepsy.
“This is about trust,” says Sturgess. “If we want cannabis to be taken seriously as medicine, we need to prove what it can do—and how well it does it.”
The Next Step for Medical Cannabis
The cannabis industry is increasingly recognizing that patient outcomes and regulatory approvals—not marketing hype—will shape the future of cannabinoid medicine. And women like Sturgess are leading the charge.
At next month’s MJBizCon in Las Vegas, she’ll join other female leaders in the cannabis health sector to make the case: the next generation of cannabis medicine must be built on evidence, not anecdotes.
Cannabis Is Going Mainstream: Related Stories
The growing interest in cannabis-based healthcare is not happening in isolation. From researchers exploring how hemp seeds can enrich everyday products like beer without the buzz (read more), to the booming North American cannabis market forecasted for steady growth into 2034 (read more), the industry is evolving rapidly. Meanwhile, debates continue around how cannabis legalization may be shifting consumer preferences away from alcohol brands like Jack Daniel’s (read more). Together, these stories reflect a larger trend: cannabis is moving from the margins to the mainstream.
FAQ: Understanding Endometriosis, CBD, MRX-1, and the FDA
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic and often painful condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It affects around 10% of women of reproductive age globally and can cause severe pelvic pain, fatigue, and infertility. There is currently no cure, and treatments often focus on managing symptoms.
What is CBD?
CBD (short for cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis and hemp plants. Unlike THC, it doesn’t produce a “high,” but it has shown potential for treating conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, and epilepsy. CBD is commonly used in oils, edibles, and topical products, though most are not formally approved as medicines.
What is MRX-1?
MRX-1 is a pharmaceutical-grade CBD formulation developed by Ananda Pharma. It is currently undergoing clinical trials aimed at proving its effectiveness in treating endometriosis-related pain. If approved, it could become the first cannabis-derived prescription drug specifically for women’s health.
What is the FDA?
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is a U.S. government agency responsible for protecting public health by regulating food, drugs, medical devices, and other products. For a cannabis-based product to be legally marketed as a medicine in the U.S., it must go through the FDA’s rigorous approval process to ensure safety and effectiveness.
