M2Bio Sciences, formerly Wuhan General Group, is a nutraceutical biotechnology company focused on cannabinoid- and mushroom-based products. The company, based in Cape Town, South Africa, rebranded in June 2020. Its CEO is investor Jeffrey Robinson.
M2Bio owns four consumer brands: Dr. AnnaRx, a CBD cosmetics line, Liviana, a CBD olive oils line, and two Medspresso products lines that offer CBD and mushroom bioceutical-infused beverages. MedSpresso’s mushroom products include strains such as lion’s mane, turkey tail, cordyceps, and reishi.
The company’s engagement with medicinal psychedelics involves research and development of psilocybin therapies to treat mental illness, addiction, cardiovascular and inflammatory conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
MJ MedTech, a wholly-owned subsidiary of M2Bio, funds the company’s research initiatives through a partnership with the University of Pretoria. A 2020 study published in Nature’s open-access Scientific Reports journal investigated aspects of potential cardiac risk from psilocybin-containing mushrooms in patients with heart failure. The researchers found evidence of safe medicinal use under controlled conditions and concentrations.1 Another 2020 publication in Plants explored the cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of a South African strain of magic mushroom, Psilocybe natalensis.2
According to M2Bio’s website, the company is also developing “next-generation receptor agonists” for mental health issues via its new private subsidiary neur.ai (link not active at the time of publication).