ART26.12

July 16, 2026: Artelo Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARTL) announced new nonclinical data supporting ART26.12, its selective fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5) inhibitor, as a potential treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) pain. The research was presented by Martin Kaczocha, Ph.D. (Stony Brook University) at the International Cannabinoid Research Society 2026 Annual Symposium in Dijon, France.

In a preclinical OA model, oral ART26.12 significantly reduced OA-associated pain behaviors after both acute and chronic dosing over 4 weeks, with efficacy described as comparable to naproxen. ART26.12 also produced distinct changes in endocannabinoids and other related bioactive lipids/proteins versus naproxen, supporting a different mechanism of action. Gastrointestinal tolerability appeared improved: ART26.12-treated animals showed significantly less stomach tissue damage (including non-glandular hyperkeratosis) than naproxen-treated animals.

The company said preparations are underway for a clinical multiple ascending repeat dose study in healthy volunteers to further evaluate safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics; enrollment is expected to begin in Q4 of this year. ART26.12 is also under development initially for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), with prior human studies cited as showing favorable safety and predictable, linear pharmacokinetics.