The STERO Biotech Mission
STERO Biotech operates under a "steroid-sparing" mission — reducing or eliminating steroid side effects and dependency. The company holds an approved patent for reducing or eliminating steroid necessity across various diseases. Their IP covers any CBD combination and delivery systems across over 150 diseases.
Clinical observations showed an 80% decrease in the need for steroids when using CBD-based formulas. This discovery led to STERO's development. The IP was approved in August 2018.
80%
decrease in steroid need observed in clinical settings when using CBD-based formulas
The Clinical Trial Landscape
STERO has completed 4 clinical trials and needs 3–4 additional Phase 2 trials plus Phase 3 testing before FDA approval. The FDA approval path requires significant investment — David estimates $50M–$100M.
STERO partnered with CLALIT HMO, Israel's largest health organisation (50% of Israel's population, 14 hospitals). Active trials address: cholesterol reduction, triglyceride management, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, peripheral neuropathy, and bronchiolitis obliterans.
How CBD Interacts With Inflammation
Research indicates CBD both calms the immune system and decreases inflammation. About 250 patients across various conditions demonstrated good safety profiles. The FDA recognises CBD as safe.
CBD works via CB2 receptors expressed on immune cells — calming the inflammatory cascade without the systemic side effects of corticosteroids. This receptor-level mechanism is distinct from how steroids work, which is why researchers are interested in CBD as a sparing agent rather than a simple substitute.
The Regulatory Picture
Biden signed the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, permitting expanded R&D in the United States. EPIDIOLEX — an epilepsy medication — received FDA approval, establishing a regulatory precedent for CBD-based pharmaceuticals.
Synthetic CBD differs legally from plant-based versions. Big pharma scouts show enthusiasm, but large companies still treat CBD skeptically — a gap that patient-founded companies like Reclaim Labs are filling. The regulatory framework is catching up to the science.
What This Means for RA and Autoimmune Patients Today
No RA-specific clinical trial for CBD exists yet — though it remains on STERO's research agenda. The mechanism is sound. The regulatory framework is catching up. For patients today: the science is more advanced than the clinical trial count suggests.
The conversation between Ron and David is about where the evidence is pointing, not where the FDA has already landed. For the millions on long-term steroid therapy, even a partial reduction in dose carries meaningful clinical benefit.
"The science is more advanced than the clinical trial count suggests — and it points in one direction."
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