GW Pharmaceuticals plc, a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel therapeutics from its proprietary cannabinoid product platform, along with its US subsidiary Greenwich Biosciences, announced it has completed the rolling submission of an NDA to the US FDA for Epidiolex (cannabidiol) as adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome, two highly treatment-resistant forms of childhood-onset epilepsy.

GW has received Rare Pediatric Disease and Orphan Drug Designations from the FDA for Epidiolex in the treatment of both LGS and Dravet syndrome. Additionally, GW has received Fast Track Designation from the FDA for Epidiolex for the treatment of Dravet syndrome.

"The submission of the Epidiolex NDA is an important milestone for patients with LGS and Dravet syndrome in that a potential new treatment option is within sight for these very difficult to treat and devastating conditions," stated Justin Gover, CEO of GW Pharmaceuticals. “On behalf of all those patients, clinicians and GW employees who have supported the Epidiolex program, we are pleased to submit this promising therapy for FDA review and we look forward to working with the FDA throughout the review process. This regulatory submission is a demonstration of GW’s commitment to developing innovative cannabinoid-based treatments that have the potential to address significant unmet medical needs.”

The NDA for Epidiolex is supported by data from three Phase 3 safety and efficacy studies, each of which met their primary endpoint. Epidiolex was generally well tolerated in these trials. The NDA includes safety data on approximately 1,500 patients, with approximately 400 patients on continuous therapy for more than one year. Beyond pivotal safety and efficacy data, the NDA includes a comprehensive clinical pharmacology, pre-clinical and toxicology package. The CMC section of the NDA incorporates the Company’s recently expanded UK manufacturing facilities.

The company plans to file a Marketing Authorization Application in Europe for Epidiolex in the near future.

Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome: The onset of LGS typically occurs between ages of 3 to 5 years and can be caused by a number of conditions, including brain malformations, severe head injuries, central nervous system infections, and genetic neuro-degenerative or metabolic conditions. In up to 30 percent of patients, no cause can be found. Patients with LGS commonly have multiple seizure types including drop and convulsive seizures, which frequently lead to falls and injuries, and non-convulsive seizures. Resistance to anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) is common in patients with LGS. Most children with LGS experience some degree of intellectual impairment, as well as developmental delays and aberrant behaviors.

Dravet Syndrome: It is a severe infantile-onset and highly treatment-resistant epileptic encephalopathy frequently associated with genetic mutations in the SCN1A sodium channels. Onset of Dravet syndrome occurs typically during the first year of life in previously healthy and developmentally normal infants. Initial seizures are often body temperature related, severe, and long-lasting. Over time, patients with Dravet syndrome often develop multiple types of seizures, including tonic-clonic, myoclonic, and atypical absences and are prone to bouts of prolonged seizures including status epilepticus, which can be life threatening. Risk of premature death including SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy) is elevated in patients with Dravet syndrome. Additionally, the majority will develop moderate to severe intellectual and development disabilities and require lifelong supervision and care. There are currently no FDA-approved treatments and nearly all patients continue to experience seizures and other medical needs throughout their lifetime.