Overseed, a French biotech company, leads the development of pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis. With expertise in agronomy and pharmaceutical chemistry, the company is prepared to meet patient needs, ensuring national sovereignty and advancing medical research ahead of France’s 2025 legalisation.
As France prepares to authorise the use of medical cannabis in January 2025, the healthcare landscape is set for a historic transformation. Overseed, a pioneering French biotech company, is poised to lead this transition. Combining expertise in genetics, agronomy, and pharmaceutical chemistry, Overseed is becoming the first French manufacturer to produce 100% medical cannabis-based medicines. With an emphasis on therapeutic quality, the company is well-prepared to meet the growing demand for cannabinoid treatments.
Visionary Leadership for a New Era
At the helm of Overseed is CEO Hugues Péribère, an agronomic engineer with extensive experience managing the cultivation of specialised plants across Europe. Before founding Overseed, Péribère worked in the agri-food industry, managing supply chains for highly specialized plants. His knowledge of geopolitical and climatic issues related to production prepared him to lead Overseed’s efforts in the emerging medical cannabis industry. In 2020, after discovering the significant medical benefits of cannabis, particularly for treating certain types of pain, Péribère became convinced of the need to develop a dedicated French project for medical cannabis. His expertise in agronomy and supply chains is now the foundation of Overseed’s approach to producing high-quality, pharmaceutical grade cannabinoid products.
Addressing Critical Public Health Needs
One of Overseed’s primary missions is to address the unmet medical needs of patients across France. An estimated 800,000 people in France suffer from conditions such as refractory neuropathic pain, the side effects of chemotherapy (nausea, appetite loss, anxiety, sleep disorders), multiple sclerosis, palliative care, and refractory epilepsy. Of these, approximately 350,000 patients are expected to benefit from medical cannabis treatments once the market opens in 2025. Overseed is dedicated to improving the quality of life for these individuals by providing safe, effective, and high-quality cannabinoid-based medicines.
In addition to addressing the pressing medical needs of patients, the company is committed to producing these treatments domestically. It recognises the importance of national sovereignty in medical cannabis production, and by ensuring that medicines are manufactured in France, Overseed guarantees better product information for prescribers, more reliable access for patients, and reduced risks of drug shortages. This fully French industry also helps strengthen the economy by creating jobs and fostering innovation in the medical cannabis sector.
A Leader in Research and Development
Overseed’s leadership in the French medical cannabis sector began in 2021 when it became the first company to obtain R&D authorisation for the cultivation of Cannabis sativa L. This authorisation enabled the business to conduct crucial research into varietal selection, stabilise its production processes, and develop pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids. Overseed has since built a robust research programme, ensuring its products meet the highest standards for purity and efficacy.
Collaborations with key partners such as Stanipharm for extraction and Pharm&Beauty for manufacturing finished pharmaceutical products allow Overseed to maintain a seamless supply chain. These collaborations ensure the final products meet strict pharmaceutical standards, and the company’s research and experimentation are in direct connection with medical scientific studies, enabling it to offer patients the best possible solutions.
A Strong Commitment to Scientific Collaboration
Overseed’s R&D efforts also extend beyond its internal operations. The company is engaged in ongoing research collaborations with the CNRS/CBM (Molecular Biology Center) and the University Hospital of Orléans, where they are conducting preclinical and clinical trials to study the potential for extending cannabis-based medicines to treat other pathologies. This research is crucial for validating the efficacy of cannabis in treating additional conditions and positions Overseed as an innovative leader in the medical cannabis field.
Ready for Market Demand and Future Growth
In July 2024, Overseed raised €6.7 million in a successful fundraising round, following a €2.5 million seed round in 2022. This investment, led by Anthony Bourbon’s Blast.Club and the seed capital fund of the Centre-Val de Loire region and Crédit Agricole bank, ensures that the business is financially well-positioned to scale its operations as France moves towards full legalisation of medical cannabis in early 2025.
From the outset, Overseed will offer a range of pharmaceutical-grade products, including CBD-dominant oils, THC-dominant oils, and balanced CBD/THC oils. These formulations will address the specific needs of patients suffering from conditions approved for medical cannabis treatment. Overseed is also exploring future innovations, such as fast-acting inhalation solutions, to expand its product offerings. With its advanced infrastructure and expertise, it is poised to deliver high-quality, high-volume production.
Ensuring National Sovereignty and Healthcare Security
Overseed’s role in France’s medical cannabis industry goes beyond merely meeting demand—it also ensures that France maintains its sovereignty over the production and distribution of these essential medicines. By producing cannabis-based treatments domestically, Overseed reduces France’s reliance on international suppliers and ensures secure, uninterrupted access for patients. This strategic focus on local production strengthens the country’s healthcare system and helps protect against global supply chain disruptions.
In addition to the economic benefits, French production guarantees that doctors and patients receive the most accurate, up-to-date product information. Overseed’s commitment to production within France also supports the emergence of a new industry that is set to boost both economic and social activity across the nation.
Shaping the Future of Medical Cannabis in France
As France moves towards legalising and reimbursing medical cannabis in early 2025, Overseed is positioned to lead this new market. Under the visionary leadership of Hugues Péribère, the company is not only prepared to meet the immediate demand but is also driving the development of innovative treatments that will shape the future of medical cannabis in France.
Through its strategic collaborations, research programmes, and dedication to French sovereignty, Overseed is leading the way in providing high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade cannabis medicines that will improve the lives of thousands of patients. As a founding member of Santé France Cannabis, Overseed continues to play a critical role in shaping industry standards, ensuring that as soon as the market opens, patients will have access to safe, effective, and thoroughly researched cannabinoid therapies.
Overseed’s pioneering efforts ensure that France’s medical cannabis industry will remain competitive, innovative, and, most importantly, focused on patient care. From research to production, this innovative biotech company sets the standard for the future of medical cannabis provision throughout the country.
Please visit the company website: https://www.overseed.fr/ to learn more about Overseed’s journey in the world of medical based cannabis production and distribution, its collaborative partnerships, ongoing work and contact details.
