GW Pharmaceuticals makes two senior research appointments

UK-based GW Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: GWPH) has appointed Volker Knappertz as chief medical officer (CMO).

Reporting to GW’s chief executive Justin Gover, Dr Knappertz will be based in the company’s US headquarters in Carlsbad, California. In addition, GW has appointed Prof Ben Whalley as head of discovery research, based in the UK.

“I am delighted to welcome Volker and Ben to GW in these important R&D roles,” stated Mr Gover, adding: “Volker has an impressive record of successful new drug development and obtaining regulatory approvals which, together with his deep experience in neurology, makes him ideally suited to lead GW’s clinical and regulatory activities with respect to Epidiolex and our product pipeline. In addition, Ben’s prominent position in the field of cannabinoid science, particularly with respect to epilepsy, will also be a major asset to GW in the pursuit of our pipeline discovery programs.”