UK: GW hoards cannabis ahead of drug launch

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The Times

Wednesday 21 Jan 2004

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GW Pharmaceuticals has begun stockpiling cannabis ahead of a launch
scheduled later this year of a multiple sclerosis treatment based on the drug.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency is expected in the
second quarter of the year to approve the cannabis-based painkiller, named
Sativex.

GW Pharmaceuticals said that it had, in a joint operation with Bayer,
prepared a rapid marketing drive for Sativex once approval was gained, in
what was planned as "one of the most exciting new product launches in
recent times".

Manufacturing activities had already been scaled up to full commercial levels.

Justin Gover, the GW Pharmaceuticals managing director, said: "Considerable
quantities of stocks of active raw materials are now being produced ahead
of the anticipated market launch."

The company grows 40,0000 marijuana plants a year.

Preparations were also being made to seek regulatory approval for Sativex
on foreign markets, and for the trials on the next wave of products based
on cannabis.

The comments came as GW announced a net loss of UKP8.07 million for the
year to the end of September, compared with a deficit of UKP11.2m a year
before.

Sativex is aimed at easing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, with
three-quarter of patients in trials electing to continue taking the drug
after the end of the test period.

GW is also examining the efficacy of similar products on treating
post-operative pain, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.

GW Pharmaceuticals shares hit 215p in early trade before easing to stand up
3p at 198.5p at lunchtime.

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