June 28, 2024 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Positive Results from Osteoarthritis Clinical Study in Dogs Reported by Can-Fite’s Partner Vetbiolix

The canine osteoarthritis market is projected to reach $3 billion by 2028

RAMAT GAN, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CFBI), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address oncological and inflammatory diseases, today announced that its veterinary partner Vetbiolix reported positive results in an osteoarthritis multicenter clinical study in dogs treated with Piclidenoson. Vetbiolix, Can-Fite’s veterinary commercialization partner which is covering all costs associated with veterinary clinical development, concluded successfully the study interim analysis.

“We are very much encouraged by the positive results in the osteoarthritis dog clinical study and hope Piclidenoson can be used as an efficacious drug with this unmet clinical indication”

After Piclidenoson proved efficacious, Vetbiolix can exercise the option to enter into a full in license agreement with Can-Fite and be obligated to pay Can-Fite upfront and milestone payments, in addition to royalties on sales upon regulatory approval.

The study looked at the effect of 90 days treatment with Piclidenoson at 100 μg/kg and 500 μg/kg twice daily orally in dog patients with osteoarthritis. The primary objective was the Liverpool OsteoArthritis in Dogs (LOAD) questionnaire for the assessment of symptoms severity evaluated on dog’s mobility. The secondary objectives included Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain assessment by pet parents and Numerical Rating Score (NRS) for (i) lameness and (ii) pain assessment by the veterinarian. The study reached the primary and secondary end points with a dose and time dependent inhibitory effect of piclidenoson on LOAD and VAS and NRS, demonstrating significant improvement in clinical status and decrease in pain in the 500 µg/kg dose.

The canine osteoarthritis market is projected to reach $3 billion by 2028.

There is a clear need in the market for a safe and effective canine osteoarthritis drug. Current treatments for canine osteoarthritis include oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which only treat symptoms and carry significant harmful side effects and an injectable disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) that targets the progression of the disease.

“We are very much encouraged by the positive results in the osteoarthritis dog clinical study and hope Piclidenoson can be used as an efficacious drug with this unmet clinical indication,” stated Can-Fite CSO Dr. Pnina Fishman. “This veterinary indication offers Can-Fite the opportunity to get Piclidenoson onto the market faster to benefit canines, while also potentially contributing near-term revenues. We are very pleased to work productively with the team at Vetbiolix.”

About Piclidenoson

Piclidenoson is a novel, first-in-class, A3 adenosine receptor agonist (A3AR) small molecule, orally bioavailable drug with an excellent safety and efficacy profile demonstrated in a Phase III clinical study in psoriasis. The drug’s mechanism of action entails inhibition of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin 17 and 23 (IL-17 and IL-23) and the induction of apoptosis of patients’ skin cell keratinocytes involved with the disease pathogenicity.

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 Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), 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. For more information please visit: www.can-fite.com.

About VETBIOLIX SAS

VETBIOLIX develops innovative products for the treatment and prevention of diseases affecting pets. VETBIOLIX has built a unique pipeline of First-in-class oral small molecules in-licensed (exclusive and worldwide license) from Human Biotech worldwide which will answer to veterinary unmet medical needs in periodontitis (VBX-1000; Cathepsin-K inhibitor), osteoarthritis (VBX-2000; Adenosin-A3 agonist) and gut motility disorders (VBX-3000; 5-HT4 agonist). VETBIOLIX focuses exclusively on clinical developments of its drug candidates: the company invests on (i) clinical proof of concept studies, (ii) CMC-Pharmaceutical developments, (iii) regulatory Pilot clinical studies and (iv) regulatory Pivotal clinical studies. Revenue generation of the company will be based on out-licensing and/or co-developments deals with the Veterinary Pharmaceutical Industry.

For more information please visit: https://www.vetbiolix.com

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