Pubdate: Fri, 06 May 2005 Source: Kalamazoo Gazette (MI) Copyright: 2005 Kalamazoo Gazette Contact: http://kz.mlive.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/588 Cited: GW Pharmaceuticals http://www.gwpharm.com/ Cited: Apjohn Group http://www.apjohngroup.com/ Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Sativex (Sativex) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) BRITISH FIRM RECEIVES CANADIAN APPROVAL FOR CANNABIS PAINKILLER British biotechnology firm GW Pharmacueticals has announced that it has received Canadian approval to market Sativex, a cannabis-based painkiller seeking American approval via Kalamazoo's Apjohn Group LLC. GW plans to have the oral analgesic spray -- the first cannabis-or marijuana-derived drug approved in the world -- on the Canadian market later this spring, according to a press release. Bayer HealthCare AG will market the product, which primarily treats neuropathic pain in adults with multiple sclerosis. Apjohn, the local life sciences consulting firm started by former Pharmacia Corp. executive Donald Parfet and others two years ago, was hired by GW early this year to help bring Sativex closer to U.S. clinical trials by early 2006. Experts say that trial process could take another three to five years. Mark Rogerson, GW press and public relations representative, said Tuesday that it's too soon to predict how the Canadian approval might affect the American regulatory process. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake