BUZZ-GW Pharmaceuticals Plc: Data on epilepsy drug shows promise

** U.S.-listed shares of London-based maker of cannabis-based drugs up about 9 pct at $104.77 premarket

** Company's childhood epilepsy drug, epidiolex, currently in use through an expanded access program, showed marked improvement in median reduction of seizure frequency, data compiled by American Society Of Neurology shows

** Due to lack of therapeutic alternatives for treatment-resistant pediatric epilepsy, FDA has permitted wide, compassionate use of epidiolex

** Drug recently entered late-stage trial in Dravet syndrome, with a second late-stage study in Dravet and two late-stage trials in Lennox Gastaut expected to start this quarter

** Safety, efficacy data continues to be impressive and strongly suggestive of a true treatment effect and bodes well for the late-stage studies in both indications, Cowen & Co's Phil Nadeau says

** Leerink raises price target to $120 from $102; Peel Hunt raises to 530 pence from 460 pence

** London-listed shares up 5 pct at 589.00 pence

** Up to Monday's close, U.S.-listed stock had risen nearly 9 pct since March 31, when company announced start of second leg of trial testing Epidiolex to treat Dravet syndrome