– Epidiolex U.S. Q2 net sales of $68.4 million –
– Positive CHMP opinion clears way for an expected European approval in October –
– Conference call today at 4:30 p.m. EST –
CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GW Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) GW, the Company or the Group), the world leader in the science, development and commercialization of cannabinoid prescription medicines, announces financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2019.
“We are pleased to report a strong second quarter of sales of Epidiolex in the US, reflecting high demand by US patients, increased prescribing by healthcare providers, and ongoing progress in payor coverage determinations. With the recent positive Phase 3 trial in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, we expect to submit an sNDA by the end of 2019 with the goal of expanding the Epidiolex label and market opportunity to include both children and adult patients with TSC, a highly treatment-resistant condition,” stated Justin Gover, GW’s Chief Executive Officer. “In Europe, we are pleased to have recently received the positive opinion from the CHMP which clears the way for an expected approval in October. Our European commercial organization is in place and will be ready to launch in the first European markets upon approval, making this important new treatment option available to deserving European patients.”
OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Epidiolex® (cannabidiol)
- U.S. commercial update
- Q2 Net sales of $68.4M; $101.9M net sales in the first half of 2019
- Over 12,000 patients have received Epidiolex prescriptions since launch
- Over 2,500 physicians have generated dispensed prescriptions since launch
- Pharmacy distribution network delivering median time to fill a first prescription in approximately 2 weeks
- Vast majority of patients who have received Epdiolex remain on therapy
- Transition of 900 patients in expanded access program and open label extension to commercial product complete
- Strong payor coverage
- Approximately 93 percent of all Commercial, Medicaid and Medicare lives in the US have a coverage determination, of which 65% are PA to indication or less restrictive
- European launch update
- Positive CHMP opinion with European Commission approval expected in early October
- Q4 launches expected in France, Germany and UK; Spain and Italy launches to follow in 2020
- Early Access Program in Europe for Dravet syndrome and LGS patients now includes over 800 patients registered across 5 major EU countries
- Manufacturing
- Commercial manufacturing and supply chain running smoothly
- Production capacity sufficient to meet expected demand in both U.S. and Europe
- Clinical trials
- Phase 3 trial in Rett Syndrome now recruiting
- Life-cycle management
- Several new formulations of CBD in development including modified oral solution, capsule and intravenous formulation
- PK data expected in 2019
- Several new formulations of CBD in development including modified oral solution, capsule and intravenous formulation
- Exclusivity
- 7 years of orphan exclusivity confirmed by FDA, plus 6-month pediatric extension expected. 10 years of orphan exclusivity in Europe plus 2 year pediatric extension expected
- Key favorable patent grants by USPTO related to the use of CBD in epilepsy
- 9 patents listed in “Orange Book” and align directly with Epidiolex FDA label
- Patent expiry dates to 2035
- Additional patent applications under review, including patents related to the use of Epidiolex in TSC and other indications
- U.S. commercial update
- Pipeline progress
- Sativex® (nabiximols)
- Initial U.S. target indication: Multiple Sclerosis spasticity
- Clinical program expected to commence in Q4 to augment existing pivotal data package
- No new oral anti-spasticity treatments developed in the field for over 20 years
- Novel mechanism of action
- Potential “pipeline in a product” with over 10 placebo-controlled trials already completed in other indications
- Initial U.S. target indication: Multiple Sclerosis spasticity
- CBDV
- Potential both within field of autism and epilepsy
- IND open for 30-patient open label study in autism expected to begin recruitment by the end of 2019
- Investigator-led 100 patient placebo-controlled trial in autism spectrum disorder has commenced recruitment
- Open label study in Rett syndrome and seizures ongoing
- Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (NHIE) intravenous CBD program
- Phase 1 trial complete in healthy volunteers
- Safety study in patients expected to commence in Q4
- Orphan Drug and Fast Track Designations granted from FDA and EMA
- Sativex® (nabiximols)
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 was $72.0 million compared to $3.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018
- Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2019 were $583.7 million compared to $591.5 million as of December 31, 2018
- Closed on sale of Rare Pediatric Priority Review Voucher in the quarter and recognized net proceeds of $104.1 million as a gain on the sale of an intangible asset
- Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 was $79.7 million compared to a net loss of $84.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018
Conference Call and Webcast Information
GW Pharmaceuticals will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the quarter ending June 30, 2019 financial results today at 4:30 pm EST. To participate in the conference call, please dial 877-407-8133 (toll free from the U.S. and Canada) or 201-689-8040 (international). Investors may also access a live audio webcast of the call via the investor relations section of the Company’s website at gwpharm.com. A replay of the call will also be available through the GW website shortly after the call and will remain available for 90 days. Replay Numbers: (toll free):1-877-481-4010 or 919-882-2331 (international). For both dial-in numbers please use conference Replay ID: 51890.
About GW Pharmaceuticals plc and Greenwich Biosciences, Inc.
Founded in 1998, GW is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel therapeutics from its proprietary cannabinoid product platform in a broad range of disease areas. GW, along with its U.S. subsidiary Greenwich Biosciences, has received U.S. FDA approval for EPIDIOLEX (cannabidiol) oral solution for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) or Dravet syndrome in patients two years of age or older and which is now available by prescription in the U.S. The Company has submitted a regulatory application in Europe and has received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). The company continues to evaluate EPIDIOLEX in additional rare conditions including Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) and Rett syndrome. GW commercialized the world’s first plant-derived cannabinoid prescription drug, Sativex® (nabiximols), which is approved for the treatment of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis in numerous countries outside the United States and for which the company is now planning a U.S. Phase 3 trial. The Company has a deep pipeline of additional cannabinoid product candidates which includes compounds in Phase 1 and 2 trials for epilepsy, autism, glioblastoma, and schizophrenia. For further information, please visit gwpharm.com.
Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that reflect GW’s current expectations regarding future events, including statements regarding financial performance, the timing of clinical trials, the timing and outcomes of regulatory or intellectual property decisions, the relevance of GW products commercially available and in development, the clinical benefits of EPIDIOLEX (cannabidiol) oral solution and Sativex (nabiximols) and the safety profile and commercial potential of EPIDIOLEX and Sativex. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors, including (inter alia), the success of GW’s research strategies, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion and uncertainties related to the regulatory process, and the acceptance of Sativex, EPIDIOLEX and other products by consumer and medical professionals. A further list and description of risks and uncertainties associated with an investment in GW can be found in GW’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the most recent Form 10-KT filed on 26 February 2019. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. GW undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.
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