Nabiximols is a Small Molecule owned by Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and is involved in 61 clinical trials, of which 54 were completed, 2 are ongoing, and 5 are planned.

Sativex (nabiximols) contains a standardized extract of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the non-psychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD), other minor cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes from two cannabis plant varieties. Cannabinoids interact with G protein-coupled cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in the central nervous system, resulting in analgesic, euphoric, and anti-convulsive effects. the active ingredients of Sativex exert their effects upon CB1 receptor and the CB2 receptor. CB1 receptors are thought to exert their effects in the brain while CB2 receptors are thought to exert their effects on immune cells. THC has its effect by inhibiting cyclic AMP (part of the cellular energy generation process), through G-protein coupling in target cells, which cluster in areas of the central nervous system that mediate pain, memory, and other key functions. THC bind weakly to the cannabinoid type one (CB1) receptors, which are found in the brain and are called partial agonists.

The revenue for Nabiximols is expected to reach a total of $896m through 2038. This change impacts the valuation of this asset and is an important factor to understand the current value of the drug in a clinical process. GlobalData uses proprietary data and analytics to provide a complete picture of this assessment in their Nabiximols NPV Report.

Nabiximols is currently owned by Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Almirall is the other company associated in development or marketing of Nabiximols.

Nabiximols Overview

Nabiximols (Sativex, OPC-33300) was composed of two principal cannabinoid components, cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, also called as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid found in Cannabis. THC or dronabinol is the main psychoactive substance found in the cannabis plant. It is formulated as mucosal spray for oral route of administration. Sativex is indicated as treatment or for symptom improvement in patients with moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis (MS) and as adjunctive analgesic treatment in adult patients with advanced cancer who experience moderate to severe pain during the highest tolerated dose of strong opioid therapy for persistent background pain and as adjunctive treatment for the symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis in adults.

Nabiximols (Sativex) was under development for the treatment of agitation in dementia, muscle spasticity due to multiple sclerosis, spinal cord spasticity, peripheral neuropathic pain. Nabiximols was under development for the treatment of cancer pain in the U.S. It was also under development for the treatment of cancer pain, postherpetic neuralgia, postoperative pain, post-operative nausea, recurrent glioblastoma multiforme and vomiting, anxiety disorders.

It was also under development for the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals Overview

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a specialty biopharmaceutical company which identifies, develops, and commercializes medicines with focus on narcolepsy, cancer, pain, and psychiatry. Its marketed products include Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution, Sunosi (solriamfetol), Defitelio (defibrotide sodium), Erwinaze (asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi), Vyxeos (daunorubicin and cytarabine) liposome for injection, and others. The company also has various pipeline product candidates related to focus areas such as sleep, neurological disorders, hematology, and oncology including hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. The company sells its products through a network of local distributors and wholesalers. It has operations in the US and Europe. Jazz Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

The company reported revenues of (US Dollars) US$3,094.2 million for the fiscal year ended December 2021 (FY2021), an increase of 30.9% over FY2020. In FY2021, the company’s operating margin was 5.5%, compared to an operating margin of 15.8% in FY2020. The net loss of the company was US$329.7 million in FY2021, compared to a net profit of US$238.6 million in FY2020. The company reported revenues of US$940.7 million for the third quarter ended September 2022, an increase of 0.8% over the previous quarter.

Quick View – Nabiximols

Report Segments
  • Innovator (Non-NME)
Drug Name
  • Nabiximols
Administration Pathway
  • Oral
Therapeutic Areas
  • Central Nervous System
  • Gastrointestinal
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Oncology
Key Companies
Highest Development Stage
  • Marketed

GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

To create this model, GlobalData takes into account factors including patent law, known and projected regulatory approval processes, cash flows, potential applicable patients, drug margins, company expenses, and pricing estimates. Combining these data points with GlobalData’s world class analysis creates high value models that companies can use to help in evaluation processes for each drug or company.

The rNPV method integrates the probability of a drug reaching a clinical stage into the cash flow at that time, which provides a more accurate rNPV, as it considers the probability that the drug never makes it through the clinical pathway to commercialization. GlobalData’s rNPV model uses proprietary likelihood of approval (LoA)and phase transition success rate(PTSR) data for the indication in the highest development stage, which can be found on GlobalData’s Pharmaceutical Intelligence Center.