GW Expands Cannabinoid Research
June 16 2009 - 1:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMGWP
RNS Number : 9096T
GW Pharmaceuticals PLC
16 June 2009
GW EXPANDS CANNABINOID RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF DIABETES AND METABOLIC DISEASE
"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.
Enquiries:
+--------------------------------------------+------------------------------+
| GW Pharmaceuticals plc | (Today) + 44 20 7831 3113 |
+--------------------------------------------+------------------------------+
| Dr Geoffrey Guy, Chairman | (Thereafter) + 44 1980 |
| | 557000 |
+--------------------------------------------+------------------------------+
| Justin Gover, Managing Director | |
+--------------------------------------------+------------------------------+
| | |
+--------------------------------------------+------------------------------+
| Financial Dynamics | + 44 20 7831 3113 |
+--------------------------------------------+------------------------------+
| Ben Atwell / John Dineen | |
+--------------------------------------------+------------------------------+
| | |
+--------------------------------------------+------------------------------+
| Investec Bank plc | + 44 20 7597 4000 |
+--------------------------------------------+------------------------------+
| Patrick Robb | |
+--------------------------------------------+------------------------------+
Notes to Editors
Professor Mike Cawthorne BSc (Hons), PhD, CBiol, FIBiol
Professor Cawthorne is Director of Metabolic Research at the Clore Laboratory,
University of Buckingham, where he leads a group of 15 researchers seeking new
molecular targets and evaluating pioneering therapies for obesity and type 2
diabetes. From 1968 to 1994, Professor Cawthorne was at Beecham and SmithKline
Beecham latterly as Group Director for diabetes and obesity research. Apart
from leading the research team that discovered the billion dollar insulin
sensitiser drug rosiglitazone, he led the biological research that identified
the b3-adrenoceptor as a potential molecular target for thermogenesis and type 2
diabetes. Professor Cawthorne has published more than 100 papers in
peer-reviewed journals, is a past Chairman of the Association for the Study of
Obesity, was founding secretary of the International Association for the Study
of Obesity and received the 2001 award for drug discovery from the Society of
Medicines research for the discovery and development of rosiglitazone.
About the Clore Laboratory
The Clore Laboratory was established at the University of Buckingham in 1986 and
is an internationally recognised metabolic research group. Under its present
Director, Professor Mike Cawthorne, its aim is to undertake preclinical studies
from the gene level through to whole body physiology to define new molecular
targets for the treatment of diabetes, obesity and metabolic disease and to
design and evaluate pioneering therapeutics.
The University of Buckingham was founded in 1976 as an independent University
and does not rely on Government funding. It has voluntarily submitted itself to
audit by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and has come top of
the National Student Survey in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
About GW
GW was founded in 1998 and listed on the AiM, a market of the London Stock
Exchange, in June 2001. Operating under license from the UK Home Office, the
company researches and develops cannabinoid pharmaceutical products for patients
who suffer from a range of serious ailments, in particular multiple sclerosis
and cancer pain. GW has assembled a large in-house scientific team with
expertise in cannabinoid science as well as experience in the development of
both plant-based prescription pharmaceutical products and medicines containing
controlled substances. GW occupies a world leading position in cannabinoids and
has developed an extensive international network of the most prominent
scientists in the field.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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