Visiongain report announces cannabinoids as a potential blockbuster?

Released on = April 22, 2005, 8:40 am

Press Release Author = Senh Ip

Industry = Pharmaceuticals

Press Release Summary = San Francisco, CA and London, UK; 22 April 2005 visiongain. According to the latest visiongain report, there is a potential for a drug within the cannabinoids market to become a blockbuster within the next few years. The visiongain report, "Cannabinoids: A Potential Blockbuster?” , states that there are at present only 2 approved cannabinoid drugs on the market: Canada has recently become the first country to accept the use of a medicine derived from cannabis when it is approved GW Pharma’s Sativex for the relief of pain in multiple sclerosis suffers.

Press Release Body = Sativex is expected to raise both profits and the profile of the cannabinoid market. GW Pharmaceutical also hopes Sativex will become available in the UK by the end of 2005 for MS associated spasticity and pave the way for approval of the companies many other cannabinoid pipeline products.

"Sativex, a trial cannabinoid drug, is expected to generate revenues of $200 million in its first six months following its 2005 launch, by 2006 this is expected to grow 20.0% to $240 million" says Zoe Downes, visiongain's Pharmaceutical analyst. According to the latest visiongain report "By 2010, Sativex should be marketed in the US where profits of $575 million can be expected". With these revenues Sativex will dominate the cannabinoid market, which currently lies with Marinol. Visiongain predicts that Acomplia will earn revenues of $120 million in its first twelve months of launch expected at the end of 2005. Revenues will grow steadily until 2010, where
they could generate up to $175 million.

Visiongain values the current cannabinoid market in 2005 at $110.5 million. This value is the combined world revenues of Marinol, Nabilone and also includes generic Dronabinol in Germany. This is a 6.3% growth increase from 2004, where revenues totalled $104 million. By 2010 sales of these products could reach a potential of just under $200 million. Over the forecast period, 2002 to 2010, this will generate a CAGR% of 10.76%.

By 2006 the cannabinoid market is expected to develop from the limited,
controversial, niche market of today, to that with a much higher profile with
additional approved therapeutic areas. The next coming months will witness the arrival of the world's first whole-cannabis plant derived pharmaceutical product, Sativex. Sativex (THC:CBN) from the innovative cannabinoid company GW Pharmaceuticals is expected to be launched into the Canadian neuropathic pain Multiple Sclerosis market.

Acomplia, (Rimonabant) by Sanofi-Aventis is another major new comer to the market. Acomplia is expected to gain approval for the antiobesity/smoking cessation markets by the end of 2005. Acomplia is also undergoing Phase II studies for alcohol withdrawal. If Sativex and Acomplia are approved for MS neuropathic pain/spasticity and antiobesity, the market then could reach a potential of $947 by 2010 with sales of Marinol and Nabilone with generic Dronabinol aiding revenues.

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If you are interested in an overview of cannabinoids: a potential blockbuster - Please send an email to Senh Ip Senh.ip@visiongain.com including: full name, Title of publication, contact telephone number, Email, and details of where you saw this release. Upon receipt of this information, an overview will be emailed to you. Also view:
http://www.epharmaceuticalnews.com/Products/4/201/visiongain/Cannaboids-A-potential-blockbuster.html

Background:
Visiongain is one of the fastest growing and most innovative independent media companies in Europe today. Based in London, UK, visiongain produce a host of business-2-business conferences, newsletters, management reports and E-Zines focusing on the Financial markets, the Pharmaceutical, Telecoms industries and currently the Defence sector.

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Senh Ip
Corporate communications

visiongain
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London SW17 ORG, UK
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Fax: +44 (0) 20 8767 5001
Email: Senh.ip@visiongain.com

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