Positive results in MOVE2 study of Sativex (Almirall) for patients with Multiple Sclerosis spasticity - 17-Oct-2012

Results of the MOVE2 study showed that one month's treatment with Sativex (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol), from Almirall, reduces moderate to severe Multiple Sclerosis spasticity (MSS) by 20% or more in 4 out of 10 patients previously unresponsive to conventional therapies. After three months, the improvement observed was 30% or more. Overall, 55% of the initial patients were eligible for continuing treatment beyond the third month.

MOVE 2 is a multicentre study including 300 adults with moderate to severe MSS treated in 42 specialised MS centres throughout Germany. Mean MS spasticity NRS scores decreased by 25% compared to pre-treatment with Sativex, with 41% of patients improving at least 30% from baseline (from 6.7 to 3.2 in this subgroup; p<0.0001). Quality of life measurements (MS QoL-54 scale) also improved from baseline in the third month's visit (p<0.01). This study was presented at the Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis. In Europe, Sativex oromucosal spray is commercialized for the treatment of MS spasticity in the UK, Spain, Germany and Denmark.