LYON, France, October 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

  • Positive data from the MObility ImproVEments with Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis (MOVE) 2 study, presented at ECTRIMS congress, supports the use of Sativex® to reduce symptoms of moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis (MSS)
  • The new study data shows that, after three months, 41% of patients treated with Sativex®, who were resistant to other therapies, showed a clinically relevant effect
  • The medicine has proven to be a cost effective treatment in Germany, where Almirall has already made it available as well as in Spain and Denmark


Almirall S.A. (ALM) today announces that results of the MObility ImproVEments with Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis (MOVE) 2 observational study performed in Germany, with 300 patients, showed that one month's treatment with Sativex® (THC:CBD) oromucosal spray 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.

This prospective, observational study was presented on 11th October 2012 at the 28th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Lyon, France.

"An improvement on the numerical rating scale (NRS) of at least 30% after 3 months is considered clinically relevant. For patients, it translates into less disturbed sleep due to MSS spasms, less pain, improved bladder function and a greater ability to perform simple daily activities involving mobility. These findings from everyday clinical practice are aligned or superior to those reported in previous clinical trials with Sativex®, and were achieved with slightly fewer average daily doses," commented MOVE 2 lead investigator Professor Peter Flachenecker, Neurological Rehabilitation Centre Quellenhof, Bad Wildbad, Germany.

The MOVE 2 is a multicentre, prospective, observational 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