Visiongain report announces cannabinoids as a potential blockbuster?

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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