Biological Potency
Smither is the exclusive laboratory partner for the patented CannaMetrix EC50 Assay. Move beyond standard compliance testing to understand cannabinoid activity on the body's cannabinoid receptors.
Contact Us To Learn MoreMeasuring Impact, Not Just Molecules
Standard compliance testing reports the concentration of each cannabinoid and terpene present in the sample, but biological activity remains a “black box.” Smither and CannaMetrix are closing the potency gap with patented assays that model the human endocannabinoid system's response to cannabis products.
Groundbreaking Commercial Advantages
Formulation & Product Innovation
Targeted Product Development
Ideal For: Processors, Formulators, and Beverage Manufacturers
Identify cannabinoid concentrations and ratios for specific targets. Use quantitative data to formulate vapes, beverages, edibles, and tinctures for desired biological activity levels.
Plant Breeding
Pheno-Hunting & Trait Selection
Ideal For: Cultivators and Breeders
Select plant genetics based on biological performance. Our assays enable high-throughput screening to identify the most potent chemovars based on total net potency of the plant.
Operational Excellence
Batch-to-Batch Consistency
Ideal For: Compliance Officers, Lab Managers, and Quality Assurance Teams
Ensure every lot delivers a consistent biological response. Cell-based validation protects your brand by detecting antagonistic or inhibitory effects to supplement your chemical potency data.
Modeling Biological Activity
Cannabinoids and terpenes bind with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body's endocannabinoid system to trigger cellular responses across the central nervous, immune, digestive, and other systems. The CannaMetrix™ EC50 Assays were developed by genetically engineering cells to report CB1 receptor binding. The assay measures the level of receptor activation to report the Biological Potency of combinations of cannabinoids from cannabis and hemp-based products. The highest THC concentration does not always represent the greatest biological activity. Because some cannabinoids, terpenes, and other cannabis compounds are agonists and others are antagonists, combinations and ratios of cannabinoids have an impact on biological activity.
Comparison of Biological Activity of THC Controls & Extracted Samples on the CB1 Receptor
As an example, the biological activity of controls containing the same concentration of THC as extracted samples was compared. For each sample, the THC Control was formulated to match the total THC measured by HPLC analysis in the paired sample. The chart above shows differences in biological activity in the samples compared to the controls, which also contains minor cannabinoids and terpenes. Sample A contained CBDA, Sample B contained CBGA, and Sample D did not contain any additional minor cannabinoids.
Beyond Composition: A Complementary Standard
While the typical Certificate of Analysis (CoA) provides essential mass composition data, biological potency offers a critical assessment of how the compounds interact. This cell-based testing directly measures activity on human cannabinoid receptors, reporting the net potency of all compound interactions within the product.
Broad Compatibility
Compatible with diverse formulations:
- Inflatables (Flower, Vapes, Pre-rolls)
- Sublinguals and Tinctures
- Edibles and Beverages
Precision Phenotyping
EC50 testing allows cultivators to select plant genetics based on biological performance and receptor activation rather than flower weight or major cannabinoid concentrations alone.
Measuring the “Curve Shift”
Our assays identify the specific dosage ranges required to induce a measurable response from the Cannabinoid Receptor (CB1). This data enables formulators to identify the exact potency of non-psychoactive cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBC) alone or in complex blends.
Biological Potency & Efficacy Data
Standard compliance reports tell you what is in the jar. The Biological Potency & Efficacy Data gives you a holistic view of what the product does in the body. Move beyond chemical inference and provide data-based guidance previously unavailable in the commercial market.
HPLC Analysis vs. EC50 Biological Assay
| Feature | Standard HPLC | EC50 Assay |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement | Chemical Potency/Concentration | Biological Potency |
| Metric | Chemical Weight | Receptor Activation |
| Environment | In Vitro Chemistry | Human Cell Environment |
| Insight | Isolated Compound Data | The Entourage Effect |