Can-Fite Reports Financial Results for Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 & Provides Clinical Update
PETACH TIKVA, Israel, Nov. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE MKT: CANF) (TASE:CFBI), a biotechnology company with a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs being developed to treat inflammatory diseases, cancer and sexual dysfunction, today reported financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and updates on its drug development programs.
Clinical Development Program and Corporate Highlights Include:
Piclidenoson (CF101) – EMA Clearance Received for Phase III Trials in Rheumatoid Arthritis & Psoriasis to Commence in 2017
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Piclidenoson is being developed as a first line therapy and replacement for the current gold standard, Methotrexate (MTX), the most widely used drug for rheumatoid arthritis. The Company plans to submit its study protocol to Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) of clinical sites in the first quarter of 2017.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a treatment market forecast to reach $38.5 billion by 2017.
Psoriasis: Can-Fite reached an agreement with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on the final design of a global pivotal Phase III trial for Piclidenoson in the treatment of psoriasis. The Phase III trial, expected to commence enrollment in the second half of 2017, will investigate the efficacy and safety of Piclidenoson compared to placebo as its primary endpoint and as compared to apremilast (Otezla®) as its secondary endpoint in approximately 400 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
During the third quarter, Can-Fite received a Notice of Allowance from the European Patent Office indicating the patent titled, "Pharmaceutical Composition Comprising A3 Adenosine Receptor Agonist (IB-MECA/CF-101) for Treatment of Psoriasis" will be granted.
The Journal of Drugs in Dermatology published data in August from Can-Fite's Phase II/III trial of Piclidenoson in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. The study is titled "Treatment of Plaque-Type Psoriasis With Oral CF101: Data from a Phase II/III Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial."
The psoriasis market is forecast to be $8.9 billion in 2018.
Namodenoson (CF102) – Distribution deal in South Korea; Ongoing Phase II in Liver Cancer & Phase II NAFLD/NASH Protocol Submitted to IRB
In October, Can-Fite signed a distribution agreement with Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceuticals (CKD) for the exclusive right to distribute Namodenoson for the treatment of liver cancer in South Korea. The deal includes up to $3,000,000 in upfront and milestone payments, plus a percentage of royalties on net sales in the low twenties. CKD also negotiated for a right of first refusal to distribute Namodenoson for other indications for which Can-Fite develops Namodenoson.
Liver Cancer: Can-Fite continues to enroll and dose patients in its global Phase II study of Namodenoson in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer. A total of approximately 78 patients are expected to be enrolled in the U.S., Europe, and Israel.
Molecular Medicine Report published an article titled, "A3 adenosine receptor agonist, CF102, protects against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury following partial hepatectom" during the third quarter. The article reports the results of preclinical studies conducted by Can-Fite, showing Namodenoson protects the liver from ischemia/reperfusion injury and regenerates liver cells following partial hepatectomy.
Liver cancer drugs are expected to generate $1.4 billion in sales in 2019.
NAFLD/NASH: In conjunction with world renowned Key Opinion Leaders in the field of liver diseases, Can-Fite completed the study design of its upcoming Phase II trial of Namodenoson in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the precursor to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
This Phase II clinical trial protocol was submitted to leading Institutional Review Boards (IRB) in Israel. Top medical centers in Israel, including Hadassah Medical Center and Rabin Medical Center are expected to participate in the planned study by enrolling and treating patients.
By 2025, the addressable pharmaceutical market for NASH is estimated to reach $35-40 billion.
CF602 – Broad Patent Estate in Sexual Dysfunction & Other Indications
A Notice of Allowance was granted to Can-Fite by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in November for the Company's patent application covering A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) ligands for use in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The patent addresses methods for treating erectile dysfunction with different A3AR ligands including Can-Fite's erectile dysfunction drug candidate, CF602. With this new broader patent protection, Can-Fite has made a strategic decision to investigate additional compounds, owned by the Company, for the most effective and safest profile in this indication. As such, the Company will postpone its planned Investigational New Drug (IND) submission for this indication.
