Full Press Release Details
Receives Notice of Allowance for Namodenoson Patent in the Treatment of NASH & NAFLD from U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
allowance follows compelling Phase II data showing Namodenoson resolved all cases of NASH after 12 weeks of treatment, and it
reduced hepatic fibrosis and steatosis in NAFLD and NASH patients
TIKVA, Israel, May 21, 2020 -- Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE:CFBI), a biotechnology company advancing a
pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address inflammatory, cancer and liver diseases, today announced the U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office (PTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for the Company's patent titled, "Method for treating
NASH accompanied by fibrosis using CI-IB-MECA". The allowance follows Can-Fite's recent announcement of highly encouraging
data from its Phase II study of its drug candidate Namodenoson, generically known as CI-IB-MECA, in the treatment of non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with or without non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
allowed patent covers the use of the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) in reducing ectopic fat accumulation, particularly in fatty
liver. The patent specifically addresses preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for reducing fat accumulation and a method
of treating conditions associated with fat accumulation such as fatty liver diseases including NASH and NAFLD.
recently announced findings from its Phase II study of Namodenoson in the treatment of patients with NAFLD with or without NASH.
The study achieved its efficacy endpoints in a dose dependent and statistically significant manner, while continuing to demonstrate
a good safety profile. The Phase II data revealed that the 25 mg dose of Namodenoson resolved significantly all cases of NASH,
representing 25% of the 25 mg treated group, as compared to an increase in new NASH cases in the placebo group from a baseline
of 0 to 5.9%. Namodenoson dosed at 25 mg reduced hepatic fibrosis (scar tissue in the liver resulting from the liver trying to
repair itself), reduced steatosis (fat buildup in the liver), and improved the FAST score, a measure for NASH (liver stiffness
and an enzymatic biomarker of liver damage).
are very pleased to receive this Notice of Allowance from the U.S. PTO at this time, immediately following an analysis of Phase
II data that show Namodenoson is highly effective in treating and reversing fatty liver. At the optimal 25 mg dosage, Namodenoson
eliminated NASH in the Phase II patient population. The protection provided by the allowed patent has a high value for us, as
we move forward into advanced stage clinical trials in this indication, and as we evaluate distribution partnerships for Namodenoson,"
stated Can-Fite CEO, Dr. Pnina Fishman.
estimated 85 million Americans have NAFLD, which may lead to an exponential rise in incidence of NASH, a more severe form of NAFLD,
to close to 43 million Americans in the next five years. The NASH treatment market is estimated to reach $35-40 billion by 2025.
is a small orally bioavailable drug that binds with high affinity and selectivity to the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR). Namodenoson
was evaluated in Phase II trials for two indications, as a second line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, and as a treatment
for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A3AR is highly expressed in diseased cells
whereas low expression is found in normal cells. This differential effect accounts for the excellent safety profile of the drug.
Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd.
BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CFBI) is an advanced clinical stage drug development Company with a platform technology
that is designed to address multi-billion dollar markets in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disease and COVID-19. The Company's
lead drug candidate, Piclidenoson, is currently in Phase III trials for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Piclidenoson has been
approved for a pilot clinical trial in Israel to treat COVID-19 infected patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms. Can-Fite's
liver drug, Namodenoson, is headed into a Phase III trial for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer,
and successfully achieved its primary endpoint in a Phase II trial for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
Namodenoson has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and Europe and Fast Track Designation as a second line treatment
for HCC by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Namodenoson has also shown proof of concept to potentially treat other cancers
including colon, prostate, and melanoma. CF602, the Company's third drug candidate, has shown efficacy in the treatment of erectile
dysfunction. These drugs have an excellent safety profile with experience in over 1,500 patients in clinical studies to date.
For more information please visit: www.can-fite.com.
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