This next week will be a big one for GW Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: GWPH). In addition to presenting at the Piper Jaffray Healthcare Conference in NYC on Wednesday, it will host a conference call to discuss its Fiscal 2015 results on Thursday morning. Then, the company will be attending the American Epilepsy Society Meeting in Philadelphia that begins on Friday, December 4th.
Last week, the revelation of the first abstract that will be presented caused a stir, with the price of GWPH plunging before recovering its losses. Today, the company indicated that an additional six abstracts have been posted, so Epidiolex, which is currently in Phase 3 trials to treat intractable childhood epilepsy, will get a lot of attention at the conference. Here are links to the seven abstracts with the conclusions:
Assessment of the Anticonvulsant Effects and Tolerability of GW Pharmaceuticals’ Cannabidiol in the Anticonvulsant Screening Program
These results demonstrate that CBD produces significant anticonvulsant effects in a number in vivo seizure models and is well-tolerated in both rodent species in the ASP. These data validate previous results from GW Pharmaceuticals’ preclinical program and suggest that CBD may be a novel therapeutic candidate for a diverse range of human epilepsies, with a potentially favorable tolerability profile and support further clinical investigation.
Cannabidiol (CBD) treatment of refractory epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)
These data suggest that CBD is safe, well-tolerated and effective, expanding treatment options for refractory epilepsy in individuals with TSC.
Cannabidiol treatment of refractory epileptic spasms: an open label study
Our results suggest that cannabidiol is safe, effective and well-tolerated, thus highlighting its potential as a new treatment option for refractory epileptic spasms and encouraging further studies.
Cannabadiol in Genetic Refractive Epilepsy in Dravet and Non-Dravet Cases
This clinical use of CBD( Epidiolex) in 3 patients with different intractable epilepsy from different genetic subtypes shows great efficacy in Dravet variant SCN1A, SCN2A, and GABR3. All patients had EEG signs of tonic or atonic and other mixed seizure types. This suggests that in addition to SCN1A, other genetic subtypes of Lennox -Gastaut seizures with tonic or ataonic and mixed seizure types seem to do well on a pure CBD product. Further collection of genetic subtypes who meet this criteria may expand knowledge of which patients the use of CBD may be clinically more efficatious.EEG data before and after treatment also will help us understand the efficacy of CBD. Observed cognitive, attention, and mood improvements also indicate braod affect of the CBD compound.
Long-term efficacy and tolerability of add-on cannabidiol for drug-resistant pediatric epilepsies
Add-on pure CBD was associated with more than 50% seizure reduction in one-third of patients at 3 months. This substantial improvement in seizure control was maintained in 40% of patient for 12 months. Best results were obtained in patients with Dravet syndrome, although one experienced a severe increase in seizure frequency. Weight loss, decreased appetite, and diarrhea were dose-dependent, and only partially resolved with a decrease in CBD dose.
Socioeconomic Characteristics of Patients in the Alabama Study of Cannabidiol (CBD) Use to Treat Epilepsy
Recipients of the Alabama CBD oil epilepsy treatment are racially/ethnically monolithic (white) and typically of higher income groups. This is in contrast with the relatively low-income, high-proportion African American/Black population of this region and the documented African American/Black disadvantage in epilepsy and epilepsy care. Information gained from this study will help to guide strategies aiming to monitor and eliminate health disparities in epilepsy, epilepsy care, and epilepsy clinical trials.
Efficacy and Safety of Epidiolex (Cannabidiol) in Children and Young Adults with Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy: Update from the Expanded Access Program
These results from an uncontrolled study support the animal studies and prior reports showing that CBD may be a promising treatment for TRE and it is generally well-tolerated in doses up to 25mg/kg/day. Epidiolex is now being investigated in randomized controlled studies in DS and LGS.
