Pubdate: Sat, 07 Jun 2014
Source: Daily Express (UK)
Copyright: 2014 Northern and Shell Media Publications
Contact:  http://www.express.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/145
Page: 74
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?323 (GW Pharmaceuticals)

GW'S CANNABIS HIGH

A CANNABIS-based treatment for childhood epilepsy is to be 
fast-tracked through the US drug approval system, sending shares in 
maker GW Pharmaceuticals soaring.

The stock jumped 25p to 363p after the US Food and Drug 
Administration said it would speed up the testing and review of GW's 
Epidiolex product.

Research trials can be accelerated to help find treatments for 
serious conditions where there is an "unmet medical need".

In this case Epidiolex is being developed to treat Dravet syndrome, 
described as "a rare and catastrophic treatment-resistant form of 
childhood epilepsy".

There are an estimated 5,400 sufferers in the US and about 6,700 in Europe.

Chief executive Justin Gover said the company was focused on 
advancing the development of Epidiolex as fast as possible.

Since it was founded in 1998, GW has been researching and developing 
cannabinoid-based medicines extracted from cannabis plants grown at a 
secret laboratory in England.

Its Sativex product, the world's first cannabis plant-derived 
prescription drug, is approved in 25 countries to treat multiple sclerosis.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom