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New Published Study Demonstrates Benefits of a Cannabis-Based Medicine, Nabilone, for Patients Suffering from Huntingtons Disease

New Published Study Demonstrates Benefits of a Cannabis-Based Medicine, Nabilone, for Patients Suffering from Huntingtons Disease

Press release - MEDA Pharmaceuticals, UK

November 2009

Bishop Stortford, UK, 27th- November 2009 MEDA Pharmaceuticals announces today that the Journal of Movement Disorders has published the results of a study completed in the United Kingdom, by investigators at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust in Birmingham. The authors reported that the licensed synthetic cannabinoid Nabilone is well tolerated and provided improvement in some of the neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with Huntingtons disease (HD). Experts estimate that at least one in every 10,000 personsnearly 6,000 in the UKhave Huntington's disease, an inherited chronic neurodegenerative disorder.

One of the authors, Dr Hugh Rickards, Consultant in Neuropsychiatry and Hon. Senior Clinical Lecturer in Psychiatry within the Trusts neuropsychiatry department, commented: Until now no single level 1 or level 2 evidence study had been carried out in the treatment of psychiatric symptoms in Huntingtons disease. This publication is something we are very proud of. My personal view is that cannabinoids, like Nabilone, could have a vital role in the treatment of HD. Further, large scale trials looking at the effects of cannabinoids in Huntingtons disease are warranted.

Overall tolerability was no different between the Nabilone and placebo groups. Nabilone was well tolerated at doses of 1 and 2 mg, with no psychotic episodes reported during the study.

In this 5-week cross-over trial there were some evidence of an improvement in two neuropsychiatric outcome measures in the Nabilone arm, an important finding due to the prevalence and severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms in HD. There was also evidence of an improvement in chorea with Nabilone.

It should be noted that this was an investigational study and is not part of the current licensed indications for Nabilone.

About Huntingtons Disease

Huntingtons disease (HD) is a severe, inherited, progressive neurodegenerative disorder with distinct neuropsychiatric symptoms, including chorea and dystonia, incoordination, cognitive decline, and behavioral difficulties.
Prevalence in Western Europe is about 5-7 per 100,000 of the population. The HD mutation frequency in the U.K. is estimated to be about 18.75 per 100,000, based on a disease prevalence of about 7.5 per 100,000.

There is no cure for Huntington's disease. Treatment focuses on reducing symptoms, preventing complications, and providing support and assistance to the patient and those close to him or her.


About Nabilone

Nabilone capsules, cannabis-like synthetic medication, are licensed in the UK for the treatment of the nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conventional antiemetic treatments.


Note for editors

This release should be read in conjunction with the Summary of Product Characteristics.

For enquiries and further information

Dr Juan D EsquivelorEmma Brady Press & Publications Officer
MEDA PharmaceuticalsBirmingham and Solihull Mental Health
Medical Director NHS Foundation Trust
01748 8288100121 301 1298
medical@medapharma.co.ukemma.brady@bsmhft.nhs.uk


About MEDA UK

MEDA UK is the UK subsidiary company of MEDA, a leading international specialty pharmaceutical company, originally founded in Sweden, but now with a significant company presence in 42 countries. MEDA has achieved rapid growth and profitability across through a search and development acquisition strategy, creating a strong pipeline of products through partnerships and in-licensing. MEDA UK, established in 2002, is a sales and marketing-led company that has grown organically and by company acquisitions. The company is based in Bishops Stortford close to Stansted airport.