Sativex - Development of a licensed cannabis-based medicine

Developing a pain relieving drug

Professor Roger Pertwee at the University of Aberdeen is a world leader in the study of pharmacology and therapeutic potential of cannabinoids. Part of his research played a major role in the discovery that cannabis is a source of compounds that are particularly effective in the treatment of symptoms and pain related to multiple sclerosis.

The study of cannabinoid pharmacology at the University led a British pharmaceutical company to develop Sativex®, the world’s first cannabis-based medicine to be developed in recent times. As a result of his research, Professor Pertwee gave evidence to the UK and other international governments providing pharmacological information and identifying new potential therapeutic uses for cannabinoids.

Our work has raised awareness and understanding of the role of cannabis as a source for medicines

Professor Roger Pertwee

Find out more

• Professor Roger Pertwee's staff profile

Key publications

• Consroe P, Musty R, Rein J, Tillery W, Pertwee R (1997). The perceived effects of smoked cannabis on patients with multiple sclerosis. European Neurology 38: 44-48. 
• Baker, D., Pryce, G., Croxford, J.L., Brown, P., Pertwee, R.G., Huffman, J.W. and Layward, L. (2000).  Cannabinoids control spasticity and tremor in a multiple sclerosis model.  Nature 404: 84-87. 
• Pertwee R.G. (2008) The diverse CB1 and CB2 receptor pharmacology of three plant cannabinoids: delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and delta9-tetrahydrocannabivarin. Br J Pharmacol. 153:199-215. 
• Thomas, A., Stevenson, L.A., Wease, K.N., Price, M.R., Baillie, G., Ross, R.A. and Pertwee, R.G. (2005). Evidence that the plant cannabinoid Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabivarin is a cannabinoid CB₁ and CB₂ receptor antagonist. Br. J. Pharmacol. 146: 917-926. 
• Bolognini, D., Costa, B., Maione, S., Comelli, F., Marini, P., Di Marzo, V., Parolaro, D., Ross, R.A., Gauson, L.A., Cascio, M.G. and Pertwee, R.G (2010). The plant cannabinoid Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabivarin can decrease signs of inflammation and inflammatory pain in mice. British Journal of Pharmacology. 160: 677-687. 
• Cascio, M.G., Gauson, L.A. Stevenson, L.A., Ross, R.A. and Pertwee, R.G. (2010). Evidence that the plant cannabinoid cannabigerol is a highly potent a₂-adrenoceptor agonist and moderately potent 5HT_1A receptor antagonist. Br. J. Pharmacol. 159:129-141.
• Crowther, S.M., Reynolds, L.A. and Tansey, E.M. (2010). The Medicalization of Cannabis. Witness Seminar Transcript. Volume 40. The Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine, at UCL.

• Cascio, M.G., Zamberletti, E., Marini, P., Parolaro, D. and Pertwee, R.G. (2015). The phytocannabinoid, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabivarin, can act through 5-HT_1A receptors to produce anti-psychotic effects. Br. J. Pharmacol. 172: 1305-1318.

« browse all impact case studies