GW Pharmaceuticals plc , a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel therapeutics from its proprietary cannabinoid product platform, has submitted an application under the European Mutual Recognition Procedure (MRP) seeking to expand the marketing authorization for Sativex into France for the treatment of spasticity due to Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

This new regulatory application follows a Decree signed by the French Minister of Health in June 2013, which amended national legislation in France so as to permit a prescription cannabis-based medicine, subject to approval by ANSM, the French regulatory authority. As with previous Sativex MRP filings, the UK regulatory authority, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), is acting as the Reference Member State.

Sativex is already approved as a treatment for MS spasticity in 21 countries, including 17 countries in Europe. The medicine is currently available on prescription in the UK, Spain, Germany, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Israel, Austria, Poland, Sweden and Italy with launches currently in preparation for a further 8 European countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand.

“Sativex meets a significant unmet medical need for patients with Multiple Sclerosis and we look forward to working with the French authorities so as to allow this important medicine to be made available in France,” stated Justin Gover, chief executive officer of GW Pharmaceuticals. “The submission of this MRP for Sativexin France builds on the recent commercial launch in Italy and continues the momentum of expanding Sativex availability throughout Europe. We see this growth as important validation of patient and physician acceptance of Sativex in meeting the needs of people with Multiple Sclerosis.”

Almirall, an international pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Spain, is the exclusive distribution partner for Sativex in the European Union (excluding the United Kingdom) and E.U. accession countries, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Turkey and Mexico.