Marijuana-derived drug Epidiolex shows promise; drug could be tested at Georgia Regents University | The Augusta Chronicle

A marijuana-derived drug that might be tested at Georgia Regents University showed success in patients with hard-to-treat seizures, the drug’s maker announced Tuesday.

London-based GW Pharmaceuticals said its Epidiolex cannabidiol drug showed “promising” results in 27 patients with more difficult seizures after at least 12 weeks of treatment. Almost half – 48 percent – had seizures reduced by at least 50 percent; 41 percent had a 70 percent reduction; 22 percent had a 90 percent reduction and 15 percent were seizure-free by the end of the treatment period, the company announced.

All but one of the patients were children, average age 10.5 years, whose seizures are not controlled by current medications. The observations were conducted at New York University’s Langone Medical Center and the University of California at San Francisco.

GW Pharmaceuticals has a Mem­or­andum of Understanding with Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal’s office and GRU to explore opening a clinical trial in Augusta. Company officials are scheduled to visit the campus next month.

via Marijuana-derived drug Epidiolex shows promise; drug could be tested at Georgia Regents University | The Augusta Chronicle.