Pubdate: Thu, 22 May 2003
Source: Guardian, The (UK)
Copyright: 2003 Guardian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/175
Author: Mark Milner,  The Guardian
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?323 (GW Pharmaceuticals)

GW SIGNS CANNABIS DEAL

GW Pharmaceuticals, the UK research and development group, has teamed up 
with German company Bayer to market the former's cannabis-based drug, 
Sativex, in the UK. The deal, worth up to UKP 25m, marks the first 
significant income earned by the UK group, which commands a market 
capitalisation of some UKP 230m.

Sativex, which is sprayed into the mouth, is used to provide pain relief 
for multiple sclerosis sufferers and may be developed to alleviate 
cancer-related pain.

The deal announced yesterday only covers the UK, where the government has 
already indicated it is ready to change the rules governing the use of 
cannabis to allow doctors to prescribe Sativex. However, Bayer also has an 
option to market the drug in the rest of Europe as well as Canada, 
Australia and New Zealand.

"Bayer is a very good pharmaceutical company which is highly respected 
around the world.

"That's what we want from a partner," said GW Pharmaceuticals' executive 
chairman, Geoffrey Guy.

The US is not included in the deal. Mr Guy indicated his company would take 
a cautious approach, which could mean several years before it attempts a 
foray into America.

The US may be the biggest market, but it is also one of the most difficult 
for a small company to enter, he argues.

"It may be an enticing market but we will be very careful. You can lose 
your shirt trying to get into the US."

Bayer, which is wrestling with lawsuits following the recall of its 
cholesterol-lowering drug, Baycol, in August 2001, said it regarded the 
market for Sativex as a significant one.

"For a special kind of patient it is a very, very useful drug -for example 
for patients with severe pain," said a spokeswoman.

She said the two companies hoped to have final approval for the drug by the 
end of the year. Once that was achieved, she expected that the drug would 
become available very quickly, she added. 
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