- Posters Presented at American Epilepsy
Society Annual Meeting -- New data includes key
secondary efficacy endpoints -
GW Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq:GWPH) (“GW” or “the Company”), a
biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and
commercializing novel therapeutics from its proprietary cannabinoid
product platform, announced additional positive Epidiolex®
(cannabidiol or CBD) Phase 3 data in poster presentations at the
70th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society. These data
are from the positive pivotal Phase 3 study of Epidiolex in Dravet
syndrome and the first pivotal Phase 3 study of Epidiolex in
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), both reported earlier this year.
“We are pleased to present key findings from two
pivotal Phase 3 studies of Epidiolex and believe these additional
positive data reinforce the robust nature of the results achieved
in two of the most difficult-to-treat epilepsy patient
populations,” stated Justin Gover, GW’s Chief Executive Officer.
“We are making very good progress toward a NDA submission to the
FDA as well as preparations for commercial launch and look forward
to the opportunity to make this important new medicine available to
patients as quickly as possible.”
Highlights of Findings in Both Phase 3
Studies:
- Each pivotal Phase 3 study achieved the primary endpoint
demonstrating a statistically significant difference between
Epidiolex and placebo in seizure frequency reduction during the 14
week treatment period.
- In the 12-week maintenance period (excluding the initial dose
escalation), the treatment effect increased for patients receiving
Epidiolex and showed a greater level of statistical significance
compared with placebo.
- Caregivers of patients receiving Epidiolex were significantly
more likely to report an improvement in overall condition.
- A consistent separation between Epidiolex and placebo across
all response rates was seen. In the LGS study, the drop seizure
responder analysis showed a statistically significant separation
between Epidiolex and placebo at the 50 percent seizure reduction
threshold.
- Epidiolex efficacy was established relatively early in
treatment.
- Epidiolex was generally well tolerated.
“These placebo-controlled studies demonstrate
that Epidiolex provides clinically meaningful reductions in seizure
frequency together with an acceptable safety and tolerability
profile,” stated Orrin Devinsky, M.D., of New York University
Langone Medical Center’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center and
Principal Investigator of the Dravet syndrome trial. “The epilepsy
community has been eagerly anticipating the presentation of this
high quality scientific data from the Epidiolex program at the
American Epilepsy Society. My colleagues and I are excited at the
future prospect of prescribing an appropriately standardized and
tested pharmaceutical formulation of cannabidiol.”
“Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are
diagnosed in early childhood and represent some of the most
difficult types of epilepsy to treat. Nearly all patients
continue to have uncontrolled seizures and other medical needs
throughout their lifetime. These trial results show that Epidiolex
offers much needed new hope for children and their families,”
stated Elizabeth Thiele, MD, PhD, Director of Pediatric Epilepsy at
the Massachusetts General Hospital, Professor of Neurology at the
Harvard Medical School and Principal Investigator of the LGS trial.
“I very much look forward to the day when Epidiolex is available as
a new prescription option for my patients.”
The studies represented in the posters are the
first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies to
investigate the efficacy and safety of CBD added to concomitant
antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy in Dravet syndrome and LGS.
The following are links to the posters presented:
Phase 3 Trial in Lennox-Gastaut
syndrome (click to access)Phase 3 Trial in Dravet
syndrome (Part A) (click to access)Phase 3 Trial
in Dravet syndrome (Part B) (click to access)
Copies of these posters will also be available
on GW’s corporate website in the Investor Relations section under
presentations.
About Lennox-Gastaut
Syndrome
The peak onset of LGS typically occurs between
ages of 3 to 5 years and can be caused by a number of conditions,
including brain malformations, severe head injuries, central
nervous system infections, and inherited degenerative or metabolic
conditions. In up to 30 percent of patients, no cause can be found.
Patients with LGS commonly have multiple seizure types including
non-convulsive, convulsive and drop seizures, which frequently lead
to falls and injuries. Drug resistance is one of the main features
of LGS. Most children with LGS experience some degree of impaired
intellectual functioning, as well as developmental delays and
behavioral disturbances. It is estimated that there are
approximately 14,000-18,500 patients with LGS in the United States
and 23,000-31,000 patients with LGS in Europe.
About Dravet Syndrome
Dravet syndrome is a severe infantile-onset and
highly treatment-resistant epileptic syndrome frequently associated
with a genetic mutation in sodium channels. Onset of Dravet
syndrome occurs during the first year of life in previously healthy
and developmentally normal infants. Initial seizures are often
temperature related, severe, and long-lasting. Over time, people
with Dravet syndrome can develop multiple types of seizures,
including tonic-clonic, myoclonic, and atypical absences and are
prone to bouts of prolonged seizures called status epilepticus,
which can be life threatening. Risk of premature death including
SUDEP (sudden expected death in epilepsy) is elevated in people
with Dravet syndrome. Additionally, the majority will develop
moderate to severe intellectual and development disabilities and
require lifelong supervision and care. There are currently no
FDA-approved treatments and nearly all patients continue to have
uncontrolled seizures and other medical needs throughout their
lifetime.
About Epidiolex
Epidiolex, GW’s lead cannabinoid product
candidate, is a liquid formulation of pure plant-derived CBD, which
is in development for the treatment of a number of rare pediatric
epilepsy disorders. GW has conducted extensive pre-clinical
research of CBD in epilepsy since 2007. This research has shown
that CBD has significant anti-epileptiform and anticonvulsant
activity using a variety of in vitro and in vivo models and has the
ability to treat seizures in acute animal models of epilepsy with
significantly fewer side effects than existing anti-epileptic
drugs. To date, GW has received Orphan Drug Designation from the
FDA for Epidiolex in the treatment of both Dravet syndrome and
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Additionally, GW has received Fast Track
Designation from the FDA and Orphan Designation from the European
Medicines Agency for Epidiolex for the treatment of Dravet
syndrome. GW is currently evaluating additional clinical
development programs in other orphan seizure disorders.
About GW Pharmaceuticals
plc
Founded in 1998, GW is a biopharmaceutical
company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing
novel therapeutics from its proprietary cannabinoid product
platform in a broad range of disease areas. GW is advancing an
orphan drug program in the field of childhood epilepsy with a focus
on Epidiolex® (cannabidiol), which is in Phase 3 clinical
development for the treatment of Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut
syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and Infantile Spasms. GW
commercialized the world’s first plant-derived cannabinoid
prescription drug, Sativex®, which is approved for the treatment of
spasticity due to multiple sclerosis in 30 countries outside the
United States. The Company has a deep pipeline of additional
cannabinoid product candidates which includes compounds in Phase 1
and 2 trials for glioma, schizophrenia and epilepsy. In the United
States, GW is operating as Greenwich Biosciences Inc. For
further information, please visit www.gwpharm.com.
Forward-looking statements
This news release may contain forward-looking
statements that reflect GWs current expectations regarding future
events, including statements regarding the therapeutic benefit,
safety profile and commercial value of the company's
investigational drug Epidiolex®, the development and
commercialization of Epidiolex, plans and objectives for product
development, plans and objectives for present and future clinical
trials and results of such trials, plans and objectives for
regulatory approval. Forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from
those projected herein and depend on a number of factors, including
(inter alia), the success of the GW’s research strategies, the
applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and
timely completion of uncertainties related to the regulatory
process, and the acceptance of Sativex®, Epidiolex®, and other
products by consumer and medical professionals. A further list and
description of risks, uncertainties and other risks associated with
an investment in GW can be found in GW’s filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission. Existing and prospective
investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.
GW undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information
contained in this press release, whether as a result of new
information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.
Enquiries:
GW Pharmaceuticals plc |
|
Stephen
Schultz, VP Investor Relations (U.S.) |
917 280
2424 / 401 500 6570 |
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Sam Brown, Inc. |
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Amanda
Foley |
610-725-0725 / 610-585-9400 |
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