GW PHARMACEUTICALS RESPONSE TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA STUDIES

Gw's Medicines Targeted At Ms, Cancer And Neuropathic Pain - Bmj
Paper Findings Limited To Post-Operative Pain
GW Pharmaceuticals plc ("GW" or "the Company") has noted today's
media coverage relating to the findings of a paper by Fiona A
Campbell et al* published in the issue of the British Medical Journal
("BMJ") dated 7 July 2001, which reviews historical data from
research on cannabinoids conducted between 1975 and 1997 ("the
Paper").

GW is pleased to note that the Paper's findings support the Company's
principal research proposition - that there is scientific evidence to
suggest that cannabis based medicines are effective in treating
neuropathic pain and spasticity, two of the principal symptoms of
multiple sclerosis. In clinical trials carried out by GW to date on
patients suffering from multiple sclerosis and a range of intractable
neurological conditions it is clear they are obtaining significant
benefit.

GW agrees with the principal finding of the Paper, that single dose
THC should not be used in post-operative pain and is only as
effective in treating this form of pain as codeine. GW's lead
products comprise whole plant extracts of cannabis incorporated in a
sub lingual (under the tongue) spray and are quite distinct from the
oral single THC products referred to in the Paper. Further, GW's
research programme has never focused on post-operative pain as a
target market and the Company's business plan does not include it as
a source of potential revenue.

Speaking on LBC Radio this morning the Paper's author, Dr Fiona
Campbell, emphasised the difference between acute post operative pain
and chronic intractable neuropathic pain. In addition, Dr Campbell
clearly stated that cannabinoids may well have an important role to
play in neuropathic pain.

Professor Roger Pertwee, Professor of Neuropharmacology at Aberdeen
University, leads a large cannabinoid research group funded by the
Medical Research Council and Wellcome Trust. Professor Pertwee is a
contributing author of the 1997 BMA report on cannabis and former
President of the International Cannabinoid Research Society.
Commenting on the Paper, Professor Pertwee said: "The data reviewed
in the BMJ paper are the same as those we reviewed in the BMA report
on cannabis published in 1997. This report recommended that the
prescription of cannabinoid medicines should be permitted for
patients with intractable pain. The animal data reviewed in the BMJ
paper strongly support a role for cannabinoids in the management of
inflammatory and neuropathic pain. These animal data are backed up by
strong anecdotal data in multiple sclerosis spasticity and pain."

Commenting on the Paper, Dr Philip Robson, GW's Medical Director,
said: "The BMJ paper re-reviews historical data (1975-97) which was
considered, alongside a wealth of additional scientific data, by GW
when the Company initiated its research programme in 1998. GW agrees
with the authors of the paper that post-operative pain is not the
area in which cannabinoids are likely to provide superior therapeutic
benefit over existing treatments. For this reason, GW is not focusing
its research on post-operative pain. However, the paper also
recognises that cannabis could be useful in other areas of pain, in
particular neuropathic pain and spasticity, and it is these areas in
which GW is focusing its current research.

"In the last 18 months, GW has carried out clinical trials in 75
patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury,
neuropathic pain, other intractable neurological conditions and
rheumatoid arthritis. Patients in these trials are clearly gaining
benefit. We are seeing clinically significant improvements in a range
of symptoms, including pain, muscle spasms, spasticity, bladder
related symptoms, tremor and overall improvements in quality of life.
In some cases the improvement has been sufficient to transform lives.
These improvements are particularly notable in that they have
occurred in a group of patients whose symptoms have been considered
intractable in the face of all available standard therapy."

* "Are cannabinoids an effective and safe treatment option in the
management of pain? A qualitative systematic review" by Fiona A
Campbell, Martin R Tram=E8r, Dawn Carroll, D John M Reynolds, R Andrew
Moore, Henry J McQuay.


Newshawk: Will Stephens
Pubdate: Fri, 6 Jul 2001
Source: www.gwpharm.com
Copyright: Investis Limited
Contact: info@gwpharm.com
Note: Posted as an exception to MAP's press release source policies.
Title by mapinc editor.
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