New Data on Kitov's NT219 Demonstrates its Unique Mechanism of Action and Anti-Cancer Effect NT219 is a first-in-class drug candidate with high affinity and selectivity to its target proteins Data show that even a short

New Data on Kitov's NT219 Demonstrates

its Unique Mechanism of Action and Anti-Cancer Effect

TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 15, 2019 (GLOBE

NEWSWIRE) -- Kitov Pharma (NASDAQ/TASE: KTOV), an innovative pharmaceutical company, today announced new findings

from its ongoing collaboration with researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The data reveal NT219's high

affinity and selective binding to its target proteins.

Hadas Reuveni, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer

at Kitov's subsidiary, TyrNovo Ltd., in collaboration with Dr. Galia Blum and Dr. Ofra Moshel from the Hebrew University

demonstrated that NT219 binds directly to Insulin Receptor Substrates (IRS) 1/2 and to the Signal Transducer and Activator of

Transcription 3 (STAT3), both known modulators of tumor survival, metastasis and drug resistance. Data showed that a short exposure

of cancerous cells to NT219 was sufficient to trigger irreversible shutdown of these pathways, resulting in a long-term anti-cancer

Based on these latest findings, Kitov and

Yissum, the Technology Transfer company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, have extended their collaboration agreement in

order to deepen the understanding of NT219's efficacy in overcoming tumors' resistance to immunotherapy.

As previously reported (Reuveni et

al, Cancer Research, 2013) upon binding to IRS1/2 a three-step mechanism is activated. IRS1/2 dissociates from the cell

membrane, undergoes serine phosphorylation which prevents rebinding to the receptor, and is finally degraded by the proteasome.

This sequence of events leads to the blockage of AKT - a major cancer cell survival pathway.

"We are excited about the new data

which demonstrate NT219's unique mechanism of action. NT219, a new and promising concept in cancer therapy, is designed

to prevent, reverse, and delay resistance to anti-cancer drugs. We are developing NT219 as a drug to be used in combination with

other therapies that has a potential to overcome cancer drug resistance and to boost the efficacy of numerous oncology drugs on

the market today," stated Kitov CEO, Isaac Israel.

NT219 is a small molecule that presents

a new concept in cancer therapy by promoting the degradation and inhibiting the phosphorylation of two oncology-related signal

transducers, Insulin Receptor Substrates (IRS) 1/2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), respectively.

While targeted anti-cancer drugs inhibit the "ON" signal, NT219 activates the "OFF" switch, extensively blocking

major oncogenic pathways. In pre-clinical trials, NT219, in combination with several approved cancer drugs, displayed potent anti-tumor

effects and increased survival in various cancers, including sarcoma, melanoma, pancreatic, lung, head & neck, prostate and

colon cancers, by preventing the tumors from developing drug resistance and reversing resistance after it had been acquired. NT219

is licensed from Yissum, the technology transfer company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Pharma Ltd.; NASDAQ/TASE: KTOV) is an innovative pharmaceutical drug development company. Leveraging deep regulatory and clinical-trial

expertise, Kitov's veteran team of healthcare and business professionals maintains a proven track record in streamlined end-to-end

drug development and approval. Kitov's flagship combination drug, Consensi , treating osteoarthritis pain and hypertension

simultaneously, was approved by the FDA for marketing in the U.S and is partnered in the U.S, China and South Korea. In addition,

Kitov's NT219, is a novel patented small molecule designed to overcome cancer drug resistance that is currently in pre-clinical

development. By lowering development risk and cost through fast-track regulatory approval of novel therapeutics, Kitov plans to

deliver rapid ROI and long-term potential to investors, while making a meaningful impact on people's lives. For more information

on Kitov, the content of which is not part of this press release, please visit http://www.kitovpharma.com.

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involve known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, as well as uncertainties and other factors that may cause

our actual results, performance or achievements to be significantly different from any future results, performance or achievements

expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include,

among others, risks relating to: the fact that drug development and commercialization involves a lengthy and expensive process

with uncertain outcomes; our ability to successfully develop and commercialize our pharmaceutical products; the expense, length,

progress and results of any clinical trials; the lack of sufficient funding to finance the clinical trials; the impact of any

changes in regulation and legislation that could affect the pharmaceutical industry; the difficulty in receiving the regulatory

approvals necessary in order to commercialize our products; the difficulty of predicting actions of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

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regimes in the countries in which we operate; the uncertainty surrounding the actual market reception to our pharmaceutical products

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For further information,

Deputy CEO & Chief Financial Officer