Cannabis medicines company Zelira Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:ZLD) (OTCQB:ZLDAF) said on Tuesday that its ZTL-101 medicinal cannabis trial for insomnia demonstrated the treatment as safe and effective for chronic insomnia based on the first report.

The company added that the results, which represent a world-first clinical validation of ZTL-101 in treating chronic insomnia, now open prospects to launch and distribute this product in global markets including the USA in the second half of 2020.

ZTL-101's trial was conducted at the world-class University of Western Australia (UWA) Centre for Sleep Science and led by principal investigator Professor Peter Eastwood, according to the company.

Under a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design trial, the company treated 23 patients for 14 nights with ZTL-101 and 14 nights with placebo. Each participant was able to take a single (0.5ml of 11.5mg total cannabinoids) or double (1 ml of 23mg total cannabinoids) their dose of the medication, delivered sublingually. The patients reported significant improvement in quality of life measures.

Insomnia is a major risk factor for patients suffering chronic pain, neurological disorders (Parkinson's, dementia), mental disorders (anxiety, depression, anorexia) and cardiovascular disease.