On June 15, 2018 Kitov Pharma Ltd. (NASDAQ:KTOV) (TASE:KTOV), an innovative biopharmaceutical company, reported positive results in a pre-clinical study testing NT219, a first-in-class small molecule targeting IRS1/2 and STAT3, two signal proteins that are part of an anti-cancer drug resistance mechanism (Press release, Kitov Pharmaceuticals , JUN 15, 2018, View Source [SID1234527355]). The study, conducted by Kitov’s majority-owned subsidiary, TyrNovo Ltd., evaluated NT219 in combination with gemcitabine in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of pancreatic cancer and was conducted in accordance with guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The results support the planned submission of the Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for NT219.

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NT219 was tested at three dose levels in combination with gemcitabine vs. gemcitabine alone. A clear dose response effect was observed among treatment arms with statistically significant differences among groups (p-value <= 0.0166). In addition, the study confirmed previous findings that demonstrated the beneficial effect of the combination of NT219 with gemcitabine vs. gemcitabine alone (p-value <0.0001).

Kitov also announced that it has agreed to acquire all of the shares of TyrNovo held by the last remaining unaffiliated shareholder, representing approximately 3.1% of TyrNovo’s issued and outstanding shares, based on an agreed upon TyrNovo company valuation of $10 million. In exchange for the TyrNovo shares and termination of all shareholder and investment agreements with this shareholder, Kitov will issue 2,816,900 new ordinary shares (equivalent to 140,845 American Depositary Shares (ADS)) of Kitov. Following the closing of this transaction, Kitov will hold approximately 97.1% of TyrNovo’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares. The remaining 2.9% of TyrNovo’s shares are held by Dr. Hadas Reuveni, TyrNovo’s founder and chief technology officer.

"These compelling NT219 pre-clinical results represent an important milestone towards the submission of an IND and the initiation of a clinical trial, which we expect will occur in 2019," said Isaac Israel, Kitov’s CEO. "Based on the results generated to date and its profile, we believe NT219 has the potential to be a new treatment option for pancreatic cancer patients. This compelling product candidate previously demonstrated impressive efficacy results in converting non-responding tumors to responders, as well as blocking tumor progression in combination with various oncology drugs, and in a wide range of tumor types. These positive data also further our confidence in the potential of TyrNovo to create significant value for Kitov’s shareholders. As such, we are pleased to have completed the acquisition of substantially all of the remaining minority shares of TyrNovo, and look forward to the continued development of NT219 in oncology."

About TyrNovo

TyrNovo Ltd., a Kitov Pharma (NASDAQ/TASE:KTOV) company, is a developer of novel small molecules in the oncology therapeutic field. TyrNovo is developing NT219, an oncology product designed to be used in combination with other oncology drugs. NT219 is a small molecule dual inhibitor of Insulin Receptor Substrate (IRS1/2) and of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT3), two signal pathways that are involved in the development of cancer drug resistance. In combination with various approved oncology drugs, NT219 has demonstrated potent anti-tumor effects and increased survival in various cancer models, including sarcoma, melanoma, pancreatic, lung, ovarian, head & neck, prostate and colon cancers. Its mechanism of action is through the prevention of acquired resistance in tumors and by regression of resistant tumors. For more information on TyrNovo please visit View Source