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BBC News
22-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
From Junior Apprentice to medicinal cannabis entrepreneur
At just 17 years old, Arjun Rajyagor was told by Lord Alan Sugar he had "natural business flair combined with intelligence" and could be "the best at whatever he wants to do".The Maths whizz-kid from Essex had been awarded £25,000 for winning the first series of the BBC's Junior Apprentice in 32, he has not disappointed, having found success with his medicinal cannabis cares for his chronically ill mother and the family explored it as a treatment when it was legalised in said Lord Sugar still showed interest in his life and career."Lord Sugar's always there should I ever need business advice or I want to make a call to understand how something works."It's always nice to know that I've got him in my corner. From 1 November 2018, specialist hospital doctors have been able to prescribe medicinal cannabis products in a limited number of circumstances where other medicines have can be prescribed in cases including severe and rare forms of epilepsy in children, adults with vomiting or nausea caused by chemotherapy, and adults with muscle stiffness and spasms caused by multiple products include Epidyolex, which is a highly purified liquid containing cannabidiol (CBD).It does not get patients high because it does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).Arjun's business, which was incorporated in 2023, is known as a software as a service (SaaS) offers doctors an internet cloud they can use to speed up the prescription from South Ockendon, says 10,000 prescriptions go through his platform each says growing up in his parents' post office taught him about the "balance" in business, but he said his mother's health was the reason for his latest told the BBC: "My mum (Usha) is not well, she's been bedridden for the last 15 years or so and is a chronic pain patient, and as a primary carer, I was kind of looking for something to help her, and when medicinal cannabis was legalised in 2018, it was something we decided to explore, because we tried everything else, and there were no other options available to us really." During the Junior Apprentice series, Arjun wore a cupcake outfit for eight hours during a selling task."You get dropped into some of the most complicated, but most interesting problem spaces and told to sink or swim. Which I guess is a good representation of what life can be like at times," he explained."It did teach me that when it comes to business, there is nothing that is below your pay grade."In the final task he had to market a bottle of was already running a computer repair business from home when he was "hired" by Lord recalls being "recognised on the street" and being asked for pictures afterwards."I remember Year 7 students who'd just come in [to school] - kind of in awe looking at me and I was a really weird." Junior Apprentice ran for three seasons before being axed in 2012, but Arjun says he still occasionally touches base with his fellow candidates via a WhatsApp group."I'll check on everyone at least once a year to check what they're up to." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
GLP-1 receptor agonists could hold promise for opioid use disorder treatment
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), originally developed for treating diabetes, work by stimulating insulin secretion and suppressing glucagon release, thereby helping regulate blood sugar. However, these drugs also act on the brain's reward system, an area deeply involved in addiction. There are GLP-1 receptors in the brain's mesolimbic system, which is inextricably linked to motivation and reward. This has piqued the interest of drug developers looking to expand the label of their products to combat the opioid crisis. Early clinical work has shown that GLP-1RAs are a promising new avenue in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), as the current treatment landscape is stifled by a lack of innovation and a heavy reliance upon opioid agonist therapies. A three-week Phase I study conducted at the Caron Treatment Centers in Pennsylvania, US, enrolled 20 participants undergoing residential treatment for OUD. The trial assessed Novo Nordisk's Saxenda as a monotherapy, displaying its potential to rival existing treatments, and the results have opened a realm of new treatment possibilities for OUD patients. Half of the patients received Saxenda while the other half were given a placebo, and all participants had the option to take buprenorphine, one of the main opioid agonist therapies on the market. The results showed a 40% reduction in opioid cravings among those taking Saxenda. This effect was evident even at the lowest dose. Another asset that has published trial outcomes is Jazz Pharmaceuticals' Epidyolex (cannabidiol). In a Phase II study evaluating Epidyolex's efficacy as an adjunct treatment to patients on opioid agonist therapy, it was suggested that cannabidiol is an effective and well-tolerated pharmacologic intervention as an adjunctive treatment to medication-assisted therapy (MAT) to reduce the risk of relapse. However, key opinion leaders (KOLs) interviewed by leading data and analytics company GlobalData have cast doubt over the use of a reduction in cravings as an outcome measure and have questioned how transferrable the measure is to the real world. This is because OUD is a relapsing-remitting disorder in which the natural tendency of an OUD patient is to use opioids. Furthermore, the use of addictive substances is inextricably tied to social context and environment, which are not easily replicated in a study. Thus, a reduction in cravings in a laboratory may not necessarily translate to the real world. In response, KOLs interviewed by GlobalData highlighted the need for clinical trials that are more reflective of real-world scenarios. This could include developing trials that measure a novel therapy's 'opioid-sparing' potential such as the ability of an asset to reduce the dose of opioid agonist that an OUD patient is currently taking. This means that expectations of GLP-1RAs must be managed until further data is obtained. The OUD treatment landscape is currently dominated by opioid agonist therapies that are highly regulated due to their liability for abuse. Out of the current treatment options for OUD, KOLs interviewed by GlobalData and surveyed prescribing physicians agreed that there is a gap in the market for safer non-opioid medications that treat addiction and withdrawal. KOLs questioned the safety profile of methadone, the current standard of care (SOC), and raised concerns about the illicit use of opioid medications, known as 'diversion'. The risk of diversion is not confined to methadone, and certain formulations of buprenorphine have naloxone (an opioid antagonist) added to their formulation in order to deter illicit use. According to GlobalData's Drug Database, six out of the seven agents currently in late-stage development (Phase IIb-III) are non-opioids. Despite their non-opioid mechanisms, KOLs are sceptical regarding the ability of these therapeutic candidates to replace first-line treatments. Currently, there is a lack of available efficacy data for many of the pipeline agents. Therefore, despite the presence of non-opioids in the pipeline, high-efficacy non-opioid OUD treatments remain an exploitable opportunity. There is a clear gap in the market for GLP-1RAs to occupy, and given the promising data in early clinical trials, they hold an advantage over many of the assets in the OUD pipeline. However, these results will have to be replicated in subsequent trials if GLP-1RAs are to cause a shift in the OUD treatment landscape. According to GlobalData's Drug Database, GLP-1RAs are also being investigated in other neurology indications such as to treat Alzheimer's disease and associated cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, alcohol dependence, peripheral neuropathy, and intracranial hypertension. Developers have recognised the potential of GLP-1RAs, and a new class of neurological agents is developing. The entry of GLP-1RAs into neurology is underway. As the understanding of the role of the GLP-1 receptors in the brain is developing, the treatment of OUD is the latest frontier to be tackled by this drug class. However, GLP-1RAs will have to demonstrate significantly improved efficacy in order to displace the gold standards of treatment, methadone and buprenorphine. Both methadone and buprenorphine are widely available in different formulations and are well-recognised by OUD patients. GlobalData expects that any non-opioid products developed for the treatment of OUD would likely see strong uptake and could potentially alter the OUD market landscape. "GLP-1 receptor agonists could hold promise for opioid use disorder treatment" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
The Independent
20-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Hope for children with severe form of epilepsy as NHS rolls out new drug
Hundreds of children in England with a rare and severe form of epilepsy are set to benefit from a new drug being rolled out on the NHS. Fenfluramine has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) for patients aged two and over with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS). It is the first non-cannabis-based treatment approved for this form of epilepsy, according to NHS officials. For children and families living with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome, every day can be challenging, facing unpredictable and life-limiting seizures, and this new treatment option on the NHS will now offer new hope, giving many the chance for greater stability and a better quality of life Professor Stephen Powis The drug is taken as an oral liquid medicine daily and works by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain to reduce seizures. LGS is a rare and severe form of epilepsy that starts in early childhood and is resistant to many treatments. It is thought that around 1-2% of the 60,000 children in England with epilepsy have LGS. Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director at NHS England said the recommendation offers patients and their families 'new hope'. 'For children and families living with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome, every day can be challenging, facing unpredictable and life-limiting seizures, and this new treatment option on the NHS will now offer new hope, giving many the chance for greater stability and a better quality of life. 'It's fantastic news for hundreds of families that there's a proven, evidence-based new medicine that can be taken at home to help control and reduce their child's seizures and, for example, lower the risk of them experiencing injuries and needing to go to hospital. 'Fenfluramine will offer a vital alternative for those who can't tolerate existing cannabis-based treatment and the fast-tracking of this treatment to be available from today is another example of the NHS' commitment to ensuring access to the best therapies that deliver real benefits to patients as well as value for the taxpayer.' Previously, the only Nice-recommended treatment for LGS was the cannabidiol Epidyolex with the medication clobazam, which was approved in 2019. Clinical trials suggest fenfluramine can slash the frequency of seizures that cause patients to lose consciousness and muscle control, known as drop seizures, by 26.5% on average. NHS England is using its Innovative Medicines Fund to fast-track the treatment to eligible patients. It is essentially providing a chance of seizure freedom, which is essentially another chance at life really; for the patient and the family or carers who are impacted so significantly by this awful disease Lisa Suchet, whose 10-year-old son has LGS Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, added: 'The often distressing and life-limiting nature of this very difficult-to-control epilepsy means that any new treatment options are particularly welcome. 'In recommending fenfluramine, the independent committee took into account the rarity and severity of Lennox Gastaut syndrome, the significant impact it has on the quality of life of people with the condition and their families and carers, and the high need for effective treatments, particularly for people who aren't able to take cannabidiol with clobazam.' Lisa Suchet, whose 10-year-old son has LGS, welcomed the recommendation. 'My son has suffered with seizures since he was five weeks of age, including drop seizures, which are the most devastating,' she said. 'They occur without warning, cause immediate collapse and the risk of head injury is high due to the sudden fall. 'There are so few effective drugs for seizure control. Many don't work for all patients; many have debilitating side effects or interactions with other meds a patient might have to take. 'That there is another option now available, which has shown effective results and minimal side effects is a huge comfort. 'It is essentially providing a chance of seizure freedom, which is essentially another chance at life really; for the patient and the family or carers who are impacted so significantly by this awful disease.'
Sky News
20-02-2025
- Health
- Sky News
New drug offers hope to children with rare form of epilepsy
Why you can trust Sky News Hundreds of children with a rare and severe form of epilepsy are hoping a new drug being rolled out on the NHS may provide a better quality of life. Fenfluramine has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for patients aged two and over with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). LGS is a rare and severe form of epilepsy that starts in early childhood and is resistant to many treatments. It is thought that between one and two percent of the 60,000 children in England with epilepsy have LGS. Fenfluramine is the first non-cannabis-based treatment approved for LGS, according to NHS officials. The drug is taken as an oral liquid medicine daily and works by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain to reduce seizures. Clinical trials suggest fenfluramine can cut the frequency of seizures that cause patients to lose consciousness and muscle control, known as drop seizures, by 26.5% on average. Previously, the only NICE-recommended treatment for LGS was the cannabidiol Epidyolex with the medication clobazam, which was approved in 2019. Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director at NHS England said the latest recommendation offers patients and their families "new hope". "For children and families living with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, every day can be challenging, facing unpredictable and life-limiting seizures, and this new treatment option on the NHS will now offer new hope, giving many the chance for greater stability and a better quality of life. "It's fantastic news for hundreds of families that there's a proven, evidence-based new medicine that can be taken at home to help control and reduce their child's seizures and, for example, lower the risk of them experiencing injuries and needing to go to hospital," he said. What is epilepsy? Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and causes frequent seizures. It can start at any age, but usually starts in childhood or in people over 60. Seizures are bursts of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affect how it works. They can cause a wide range of symptoms. Symptoms include: • uncontrollable jerking and shaking, known as a "fit"; • losing awareness; • becoming stiff; • strange sensations, such as a "rising" feeling in the belly, unusual smells or tastes, and a tingling feeling in your limbs; • collapsing. Seizures can be triggered in numerous ways including flashing lights, sleep deprivation, misuse of drugs or missing medications. The condition affects more than 600,000 people in the UK. NHS England is using its Innovative Medicines Fund to fast-track the treatment to eligible patients. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, added: "The often distressing and life-limiting nature of this very difficult-to-control epilepsy means that any new treatment options are particularly welcome. "In recommending fenfluramine, the independent committee took into account the rarity and severity of Lennox Gastaut syndrome, the significant impact it has on the quality of life of people with the condition and their families and carers, and the high need for effective treatments, particularly for people who aren't able to take cannabidiol with clobazam."
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hope for children with severe form of epilepsy as NHS rolls out new drug
Hundreds of children in England with a rare and severe form of epilepsy are set to benefit from a new drug being rolled out on the NHS. Fenfluramine has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) for patients aged two and over with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS). It is the first non-cannabis-based treatment approved for this form of epilepsy, according to NHS officials. The drug is taken as an oral liquid medicine daily and works by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain to reduce seizures. LGS is a rare and severe form of epilepsy that starts in early childhood and is resistant to many treatments. It is thought that around 1-2% of the 60,000 children in England with epilepsy have LGS. Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director at NHS England said the recommendation offers patients and their families 'new hope'. 'For children and families living with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome, every day can be challenging, facing unpredictable and life-limiting seizures, and this new treatment option on the NHS will now offer new hope, giving many the chance for greater stability and a better quality of life. 'It's fantastic news for hundreds of families that there's a proven, evidence-based new medicine that can be taken at home to help control and reduce their child's seizures and, for example, lower the risk of them experiencing injuries and needing to go to hospital. 'Fenfluramine will offer a vital alternative for those who can't tolerate existing cannabis-based treatment and the fast-tracking of this treatment to be available from today is another example of the NHS' commitment to ensuring access to the best therapies that deliver real benefits to patients as well as value for the taxpayer.' Previously, the only Nice-recommended treatment for LGS was the cannabidiol Epidyolex with the medication clobazam, which was approved in 2019. Clinical trials suggest fenfluramine can slash the frequency of seizures that cause patients to lose consciousness and muscle control, known as drop seizures, by 26.5% on average. NHS England is using its Innovative Medicines Fund to fast-track the treatment to eligible patients. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, added: 'The often distressing and life-limiting nature of this very difficult-to-control epilepsy means that any new treatment options are particularly welcome. 'In recommending fenfluramine, the independent committee took into account the rarity and severity of Lennox Gastaut syndrome, the significant impact it has on the quality of life of people with the condition and their families and carers, and the high need for effective treatments, particularly for people who aren't able to take cannabidiol with clobazam.' Lisa Suchet, whose 10-year-old son has LGS, welcomed the recommendation. 'My son has suffered with seizures since he was five weeks of age, including drop seizures, which are the most devastating,' she said. 'They occur without warning, cause immediate collapse and the risk of head injury is high due to the sudden fall. 'There are so few effective drugs for seizure control. Many don't work for all patients; many have debilitating side effects or interactions with other meds a patient might have to take. 'That there is another option now available, which has shown effective results and minimal side effects is a huge comfort. 'It is essentially providing a chance of seizure freedom, which is essentially another chance at life really; for the patient and the family or carers who are impacted so significantly by this awful disease.'
