GW Pharma surges on new epilepsy trial success

UK-based GW Pharmaceuticals surged ahead on the stock market after it announced its cannabis-based drug Epidiolex had succeeded in a phase 3 trial that could lead to a new use. The company’s Q1 results, announced at the same time, show that Epidiolex (cannabidiol) is gaining traction in the US market, where it has been approved for the rare forms of childhood epilepsy Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet Syndrome since last summer. GW is also hoping for approval in tuberous sclerosis complex, and analysts have suggested that with these three indications in the bag the drug could go on to break the billion dollar annual sales barrier at peak. GW said it plans to file for a new use for Epidiolex in the final quarter, to treat patients with tuberous sclerosis complex, another form of rare childhood epilepsy. Results from the trial showed that both groups saw significant reductions in seizure frequency compared with placebo, meeting the trial’s primary endpoint.