GW spikes on positive results for cannabis-based epilepsy drug

The U.K.'s GW Pharmaceuticals ($GWPH) saw its shares hit an all-time high after disclosing promising efficacy data for Epidiolex, a cannabinoid treatment for a rare form of epilepsy. In physician data on 27 patients with a treatment-resistant type of childhood epilepsy, Epidiolex helped reduce mean seizure frequency by 44%, the company said. The results are from compassionate-use cases, not a placebo-controlled clinical trial, but the positive data sent GW's shares up about 14% to nearly $88 on Tuesday. Epidiolex has been granted the FDA's fast-track designation, and the company says it's on schedule to kick off a Phase II/III study in the second half of this year. More