The subject patent claims cover CBDV, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid extracted from the cannabis plant, for use in the treatment of patients with epilepsy and specifically for the control of generalised or temporal lobe seizures.
This patent covers CBDV alone or in combination with standard anti-epileptic drugs. The issued patent from this application will provide an exclusivity period until 30 March 2031.
"This patent is important as we believe that CBDV has the potential to become an important new treatment option in the field of epilepsy," stated Justin Gover, GW’s Chief Executive Officer.
"Whilst the primary focus of GW’s epilepsy research program remains on Epidiolex in pediatric epilepsy, we believe that CBDV may offer an additional treatment advance in this therapeutic area in the medium and longer term."
In 2014, GW completed a Phase 1 clinical trial of its CBDV product candidate, known as GWP42006, and expects to commence a Phase 2 study in adult patients with epilepsy in the second quarter of 2015.
In addition to CBDV, GW continues to advance its product candidate Epidiolex, a liquid formulation of pure cannabidiol (CBD).
GW recently commenced two Phase 3 clinical trials of Epidiolex in Dravet syndrome and expects to commence two Phase 3 clinical trials in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in the second quarter of 2015.
GW also recently announced its intent to commence clinical development of Epidiolex in an additional pediatric epilepsy indication, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), and expects to commence Phase 3 clinical development in TSC later this year.