PORTON DOWN, England,
June 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- GW
Pharmaceuticals plc (GWP:AIM) today announces the UK launch of
Sativex(R), its Oromucosal Spray for the treatment of spasticity
due to Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Sativex(R) is the world's first
prescription cannabis medicine and the UK is the first country in
the world to grant a full regulatory authorization for the
product.
Sativex(R) contains two cannabinoids or active ingredients - THC
(delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). It is the
first cannabinoid medicine derived from whole plant extracts from
the cannabis sativa plant.
Sativex(R), available as a prescription only medicine, was
developed by GW in specific response to calls from people with MS
for a prescription cannabis-based medicine. Today's launch means
that MS patients suffering the spasms and cramping associated with
spasticity have access to a new treatment option which has been
shown to improve their symptoms where current treatments have
failed.
Sativex(R) is manufactured by GW under Home Office licence at an
undisclosed location in the UK. The medicine is being marketed in
the UK by GW's UK licensee, Bayer Schering Pharma.
Dr Geoffrey Guy, GW's Chairman,
said: "The approval and launch of Sativex(R) in the UK is the
world's first full approval of a cannabis-derived prescription
medicine and the product of eleven year's research by GW into the
cannabinoid system. GW was founded with the primary goal of
developing a medicine to address the unmet needs of people with MS
and today's launch of Sativex(R) represents a welcome advance in MS
symptom treatment. This is also an historic moment for GW and marks
the beginning of the company's transition from late stage
development company to a commercial pharmaceutical business.
Today's news validates our cannabinoid technology platform and
enables us to progress the development of our pipeline across a
range of therapeutic areas with increased confidence."
Under the terms of the agreement with Bayer, GW will receive a
GBP10m milestone payment in respect
of the UK approval of Sativex(R).
Outside the UK, Sativex is expected to be approved in
Spain shortly. Further submissions
will be made in additional European countries during the second
half of 2010 under the mutual recognition procedure. Almirall S.A.
will market Sativex in Europe
(ex-UK).
A series of photo images in connection with this story are
available to download at http://www.fovea.tv and/or call
Peter Corbin on
+44(0)20-70892627.
Enquiries:
GW Pharmaceuticals plc (Today) +44-20-7831-3113
Dr Geoffrey Guy, Chairman +44-1980-557000
Justin Gover, Managing Director
GW PR
Financial Media: Ben Atwell / John Dineen +44-20-7831-3113
Other Media: Mark Rogerson +44-7885-638810
Bayer Schering Pharma +44-7711-200384
Cherry Wood / Kim Lemon (Liberation +44-7771-561079
Communications)
GW Advisers: Piper Jaffray Ltd +44-20-3142-8700
Neil Mackison / Rupert Winckler
For the full release including Note to Editors please visit:
http://www.gwpharm.com