Epilepsy

Approximately 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological diseases globally.³ Some people who receive a diagnosis of epilepsy will have this diagnosis refined to an epilepsy syndrome, which can be much more difficult to treat.

We are committed to helping such people by researching and developing cannabis-based medicines for conditions including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

We are working with investigators to gain clinical experience in the use of different cannabis-based medicines for the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and we have a number of ongoing initiatives to evaluate a range of cannabinoids in pre-clinical models of ASD, including an assessment of the effect of cannabinoids on cognitive and behavioural function in animals. These animal models include Fragile X syndrome.

Glioma

We are evaluating a product in the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a particularly aggressive brain tumour, which is considered a rare disease by the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Gliomas are tumours that develop from glial cells in the brain. There is currently a lack of consensus on treatment for people with high-grade glioma and prognosis is not positive for many patients. The median survival for patients with GBM is approximately 1 year.⁴

Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (NHIE)

NHIE is a type of brain injury caused during birth, resulting from deprivation of oxygen. Hypoxic damage can occur to most of the infant’s organs, but brain damage is the most serious and least likely to heal and can result in both mental and physical disabilities.⁵

We are developing a product for the treatment of NHIE and have already received Orphan Drug Designation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), and Fast Track Designation from the FDA.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disease that affects more than 21 million people worldwide, causing disruptions in thinking and language, as well as hallucinations (e.g. hearing voices).⁶

We have worked with clinicians across Europe to conduct trials in schizophrenia and are now analysing the data to fully understand the next steps, with future research likely to be focused on children.