Full Press Release Details
Phase II NAFLD/NASH Trial with Namodenoson Set to Commence
Patient Enrollment Following Conclusion of Successful Clinical Investigator
unmet need for NAFLD/NASH drug to address estimated $35 billion treatment market by 2025
TIKVA, Israel, July 17 2017 - Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE MKT: CANF) (TASE:CFBI), a biotechnology company advancing a
pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address cancer, liver and inflammatory diseases, announced today that it successfully
concluded a Clinical Investigator Meeting with the principal investigators, researchers, and doctors participating as clinical
investigators in the Company's Phase II trial of its drug candidate Namodenoson in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty
liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
conducted a successful Investigator Meeting with clinical researchers eager to evaluate Namodenoson in the treatment of NAFLD/NASH.
Details of the Phase II clinical trial protocol were reviewed and questions and comments from clinicians were addressed. We are
pleased to have some of the most prestigious medical institutions including Hadassah Medical Center and Rabin Medical Center serve
as clinical sites for the trial," stated Can-Fite Medical Director Dr. Michael Silverman. "We anticipate patient enrollment
to commence this quarter."
Phase II multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study of the efficacy and safety of Namodenoson
in the treatment of NAFLD/NASH will enroll approximately 60 patients with NAFLD, with or without NASH. Patients will be enrolled
in three arms, including two different dosages of Namodenoson and a placebo, given via oral tablets twice daily. The study's primary
endpoints will be percent change from baseline in liver triglyceride (fat) concentration measured by nuclear magnetic resonance
spectroscopy (NMRS) and safety.
Phase II trial design is based on preclinical studies showing Namodenoson's efficacy in reducing liver fat in NASH models as compared
to placebo, improving liver function, and regenerating liver cells. Can-Fite's estimated cost of the Phase II trial is under
$1 million. Namodenoson supplies are ready to be administered and the costs of supply have been paid.
2025, the addressable pharmaceutical market for NASH is estimated to reach $35-40 billion.
is characterized by excess fat accumulation in the form of triglycerides (steatosis) in the liver. According to a study published
in Hepatology, an estimated 17%-33% of the population in the U.S. has NAFLD, with a higher prevalence in people with type II diabetes.
Incidence is increasing based on rising obesity rates. NAFLD includes a range of liver diseases, with NASH being the more advanced
form, manifesting as hepatic injury and inflammation. According to the NIH, the incidence of NASH in the U.S. is believed to affect
2-5% of the population. The spectrum of NAFLDs resembles alcoholic liver disease; however, they occur in people who drink little
or no alcohol. If untreated, NASH can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. By 2025, the addressable pharmaceutical market for NASH
is estimated to reach $35-40 billion.
is a small orally bioavailable drug that binds with high affinity and selectivity to the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR). Namodenoson
is being 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 has received Orphan Drug Designation for Namodenoson in Europe and the U.S., as well as Fast Track Status in the U.S.
as a second line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd.
BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE MKT: 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 sexual dysfunction.
The Company's lead drug candidate, Piclidenoson, is scheduled to enter Phase III trials in 2017 for two indications, rheumatoid
arthritis and psoriasis. The rheumatoid arthritis Phase III protocol has recently been agreed with the European Medicines Agency.
Can-Fite's liver cancer drug Namodenoson is in Phase II trials for patients with liver cancer and is slated to enter Phase II
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 hepatocellular carcinoma 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 in preclinical studies and is
being prepared for an IND submission to the FDA and a Phase I trial. These drugs have an excellent safety profile with experience
in over 1,000 patients in clinical studies to date. For more information please visit: www.can-fite.com.
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