16 June 2009

GW EXPANDS CANNABINOID RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF DIABETES AND METABOLIC DISEASE

Announcement
“GW Metabolic Research Laboratory” established in conjunction with Professor
Cawthorne and the Clore Laboratory, University of Buckingham
Porton Down, UK, 16 June 2009: GW Pharmaceuticals plc (GWP:AIM) today
announces that it has entered into an exclusive strategic alliance with Professor Mike
Cawthorne and the Clore Laboratory, University of Buckingham, focusing on the research
of cannabinoids, and other phytomedicines, in the field of type 2 diabetes and metabolic
disease. A dedicated section of the Clore Laboratory has been named the “GW Metabolic
Research Laboratory”.
Professor Cawthorne is Director of Metabolic Research at the Clore Laboratory,
University of Buckingham and a recognized world leading authority in the research of
new treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes. At SmithKline Beecham he was Group
Director for diabetes and obesity research and led the research team that
discovered the multi-billion dollar insulin sensitizer drug, rosiglitazone (Avandia®).
The principal objectives of this strategic alliance are as follows:
· to provide GW with a dedicated facility for undertaking pre-clinical pharmacologic
studies of cannabinoids in the area of metabolic disease
· to provide GW with exclusive access to plant-based therapies under evaluation at
the Clore Laboratory
· to support the pharmaceutical development of new GW cannabinoid medicines to
address defined aspects of the metabolic syndrome
· to provide expert advice to GW, through Professor Cawthorne, in the metabolic
disease area
Dr Geoffrey Guy, GW’s Chairman, said, “We are delighted to be expanding our relationship
with such prominent experts in the field of metabolic research. GW has already carried out
pre-clinical studies on its cannabinoids in several models of diabetes with promising
results. We believe strongly that our in-house research programme in the field of
diabetes and metabolic syndrome offers significant commercial potential. This
collaboration will allow us to progress this research effort to develop a number of potential
new cannabinoid product candidates in this therapeutic area.”
Professor Cawthorne, Director of Metabolic Research at the Clore Laboratory, University
of Buckingham, said, “I am particularly encouraged by the results of pre-clinical studies
performed to date on GW cannabinoids and see exciting potential for the development of
new treatments in the field of type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders. I look
forward to working closely with GW on the development of new metabolic medicines.”
GW’s Cannabinoid Research in Diabetes and Metabolic Disease
GW has carried out pre-clinical research on its cannabinoids in several models of type 2
diabetes. Results of this research show desirable effects on plasma insulin, leptin and
adiponectin levels, hormones of particular relevance to the development and treatment
of diabetes. In addition, these results have shown a reduction in total cholesterol with an
increase in the proportion of HDL (good) cholesterol.
GW’s two leading cannabinoid candidates in this field are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabivarin
(THCV) and cannabidiol (CBD). CBD has shown potential beneficial effects in
hypercholesterolaemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, while THCV has shown
desirable effects notably in raising energy expenditure. Exploration of the effects of
these two cannabinoids in combination confirms that a number of the components of the
metabolic syndrome can potentially be addressed with a single medicine.
Both THCV and CBD have now successfully been the subject of Phase I clinical trials.
GW is preparing to advance a combined THCV:CBD drug candidate into a Phase IIa
multiple dose study in the treatment of dyslipidaemia and fatty liver in Type II diabetic
patients.