The technology developed by 3V Medical Research Group has been recognized as state-of-the-art and featured in the information-based educational television series Advancements with Ted Danson. This television series explores recent developments taking place across multiple industries and economies and shines a light on important issues and topics impacting society today, including cutting-edge improvements, state-of-the-art technologies, and innovative solutions responsible for shaping, molding, and transforming our world.
3V Medical Research Group’s 6-minute segment on Advancements with Ted Danson
3V Medical Research Group’s
30 second commercial
Old chemical… Modern chemistry
Copper…used for millennia
When asked about the role of copper in medicine, a typical response describes the wearing of copper bracelets to reduce the pain of arthritis. Sadly, the evidence points to the lack of effect of this ‘delivery mechanism’.
Few will mention the role of copper in intrauterine contraceptive devices, or the widespread use of strong copper solutions as an agricultural disinfectant. In fact, copper is a necessary dietary component, with complex physiological roles, and is of increasing interest to the biomedical research community.
Copper… approved by EPA for disinfection
Copper has a well-established antimicrobial and antiviral effect. In February 2008, the US EPA approved the registration of 275 antimicrobial copper alloys, a number which expanded by 2011 to 355.
Strong scientific interest…
Despite the lack of a full understanding of the mode of action of copper, interest in copper is reflected in the number of biomedical publications: as of November 2024, PubMed contained 169,724 citations of “copper” of which 46,393 presented human data. The database of clinical trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, contains over 550 studies with copper as a search term.
Simple chemistry…
3V Medical Research Group’s patent protected low concentration copper formulation, identified within the company as 3VM1000, consists of a suspension of copper compounds in a dilute copper solution. This formulation avoids the toxicity associated with high concentration copper yet provides a long-maintained copper solution as more copper leaches from the copper particulate in the suspension.
Manufacturing…
Metallic copper is incubated in a buffered saline solution to produce 3VM1000 suspension, which may be used for intranasal or intraoral indications.
For skin applications (e.g., osteoarthritis, post-herpetic pain, radiation dermatitis), a cream may be utilized. The suspension can be mixed with Versabase, a widely used cream base, to produce the cream-based product.
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of copper is 0.9mg/day with an upper limit of 10mg/day. Based on studies that 3V Medical Research Group has completed to date, if all of the copper in a daily treatment were absorbed, the doses used are less than 30% of the RDA, and less than 5% of the upper dose limit.
Old chemical… Modern chemistry…
Although the mechanism of action of 3VM1000 has not been experimentally verified, basic physical chemistry points strongly to a likely mechanism:
- Animal data establishes an analgesic effect for low concentrations of copper ions with a mechanism of action that includes binding at opiate receptor sites
- Cu2+ complexes of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents have enhanced activity, suggesting a copper responsive opioid receptor
- Analgesic effects of oral Cu-salicylate have been demonstrated in arthritic rats
- The low molecular weight of copper (63.5Da) permits transdermal or transmucosal absorption
- Strong copper solutions, for example of copper sulfate, have significant associated toxicity
- Studies suggest a weak solution of copper would have an analgesic effect, but it would be short lived as the small amount of copper would be rapidly redistributed and excreted
- The 3V Medical Research Group manufacturing method addresses this by producing a suspension of very low solubility copper compounds in a weak copper solution
- As the dissolved copper is redistributed and excreted, more copper dissolves from the particles in suspension to maintain equilibrium
- The “efficacy without toxicity” profile of 3VM1000 is produced by the nature of the insoluble – soluble equilibrium
- The equilibrium is defined by the surface area and mass of copper that is incubated in a saline solution, and the time and temperature of the incubation.