Cannabis-based spray a step closer

20 Januar 2005 - GW Pharmaceuticals yesterday reported more positive clinical trial data on its cannabis-based medicine Sativex and said it expected a UK regulatory hearing on the drug this summer.
GW has already reported positive clinical trial data showing that Sativex, an under-the-tongue spray, helps to control the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and neuropathic pain.
Yesterday, the company produced fresh data on Sativex showing positive results with patients suffering from severe cancer pain. The trials were Phase III, the last stage before a drug is approved for marketing, and showed that about 40 per cent of patients on Sativex saw a 30 per cent improvement in their pain levels.
The company said the new data demonstrated the broad potential of the treatment, which has already received preliminary approval in Canada but is still caught up in the UK regulatory approval process.