RAMAT GAN, Israel — Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE:CANF), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address oncological and inflammatory diseases, today announced submission of an investigational new drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), also known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), for the Company’s ongoing Phase IIb clinical study.
Can-Fite’s drug candidate, Namodenoson, has been shown to reduce hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, as well as body weight reduction, in a Phase IIa clinical study where data have been already published in a peer scientific journal. Currently Can-Fite is enrolling patients for a Phase IIb clinical study in Europe and in Israel and is seeking IND approval in order to include US patients in the ongoing study.
The Phase IIb trial is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in subjects with biopsy-confirmed MASH. The primary efficacy objective of the trial is to evaluate the efficacy of Namodenoson as compared to placebo in 140 subjects with MASH, as determined by a histological endpoint. Eligible subjects are randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to oral doses of Namodenoson 25 mg every 12 hours or a matching placebo for 36 weeks.
“We are eager to look at the therapeutic effect of Namodenoson in patients with MASH,” said Motti Farbstein, chief executive officer of Can-Fite. “Prior human data showed that treatment with Namodenoson leads to significant anti-MASH effects. Namodenoson’s novel liver-protective mechanism of action provides a unique opportunity to potentially improve inflammation and reduce hepatic steatosis and fibrosis which may provide important therapeutic benefits for patients.”
Rates of MASH are increasing in the United States in concert with increasing rates of obesity and diabetes and is estimated to affect 2-5% of adult Americans. By 2028, Vantage Market Research estimates the addressable pharmaceutical market for MASH will reach $21.9 billion in size. In March 2024, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals announced FDA approval of Rezdiffra (resmetirom) for the treatment of MASH with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis, potentially paving the way for more drugs that target this huge market.
About Namodenoson
Namodenoson 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.
About Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd.
Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CANF) 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, liver, and inflammatory disease. The Company’s lead drug candidate, Piclidenoson recently reported topline results in a Phase III trial for psoriasis and is expected to commence a pivotal Phase III. Can-Fite’s cancer and liver drug, Namodenoson, is being evaluated in a Phase IIb trial for the treatment of steatotic liver disease (SLD), a Phase III pivotal trial for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the Company is planning a Phase IIa study in pancreatic cancer. 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 1,600 patients in clinical studies to date.
Contacts
Can-Fite BioPharma
Motti Farbstein
[email protected]
+972-3-9241114