The Cannabinoid Research Institute was established by GW as a distinct division within the Company to consolidate GW's position as a world leader in cannabinoid science. The Institute's activities are directed by Dr Philip Robson, Director of the Cannabinoid Research Institute.

The Institute was formed to build a bridge between commercial enterprise and academia. We believe this is the best way for GW to undertake fundamental science and to investigate future commercial opportunities arising from phytocannabinoids (which occur in plants), synthetic cannabinoids and/or endocannabinoids (which occur naturally within the human body).

In addition to enhancing GW's pipeline of cannabis-based medicines by conducting early stage clinical trials, the Institute's programme of primary research on the cannabinoid system will allow GW to further explore cannabinoid mechanism(s) of action. New product opportunities will arise from more precise targeting of cannabinoids to specific illnesses and from the discovery and application of new cannabinoid products.

In mid 2007, the Institute’s activities were significantly expanded through the establishment of a global cannabinoid research agreement with Otsuka. Under this agreement, a GW-Otsuka collaboration research team, which incorporates senior scientists from both companies, is evaluating a range of GW cannabinoids as drug candidates within the field of CNS and oncology, with a view to selecting the most promising candidates for full clinical development, regulatory approval and global commercialization.

The Institute collaborates with many of the top cannabinoid scientists and in particular, we are delighted that Professor Roger Pertwee , a world leading cannabinoid receptor, research, has joined the team as Director of Pharmacology. More recently, the Institute was very pleased to welcome Dr Ethan Russo, formerly of Universities of Washington and Montana, as its Senior Medical Adviser.

The Institute has also formed exciting collaborations with Professor Raphael Mechoulam , Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem and Professor Vincenzo Di Marzo at Istituto per la Chimica di Molecole di Interesse Biologico in Naples.

We are also pleased to be working with other researchers on different projects including Dr John McPartland (UNITEC, New Zealand), Professor Daniela Parolaro (University of Insubria, Italy) and Professor Richard Musty (University of Vermont, USA).

The Institute is keen to collaborate with independent clinical researchers and scientists on projects intended to further the knowledge and understanding of cannabinoids, their mechanism of action and possible future uses. Potential collaborators should contact Dr Philip Robson, Director of the Institute, care of GW Pharmaceuticals.