On March 28, 2019 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE:CFBI), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address cancer, liver and inflammatory diseases, reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2018 (Press release, Can-Fite BioPharma, MAR 28, 2019, View Source [SID1234534712]).

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Clinical Development and Corporate Highlights During 2018 Include:

In a deal worth up to $74.5 million, Can-Fite signed a License, Collaboration and Distribution Agreement with CMS Medical Venture Investment Limited for the commercialization of Piclidenoson in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, and Namodenoson in the treatment of advanced liver cancer and NAFLD/NASH, in China.
In another multi-million dollar deal, Can-Fite signed a distribution deal with Gebro Holding GmBH in Spain, Switzerland, and Austria, to distribute Piclidenoson in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis upon receipt of regulatory approval.
Can-Fite raised $5 million through a registered direct offering.
Can-Fite recently reported top line result from its Phase II trial of Namodenoson in the treatment of advanced liver cancer. While the study did not achieve its primary end point of median overall survival in the whole population of 78 patients, it did achieve superiority in median overall survival in the largest study subpopulation of 56 patients and in secondary end points for the whole population. These data support progression into a Phase III study.
Phase III clinical studies of Piclidenoson in the treatment of psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis continue to enroll patients.
Top-line Data from Phase II NASH Study with Namodenoson expected in H2 2019
"2018 marked significant achievements for Can-Fite including our largest distribution deal to date valued at up to $74.5 million. We continued to build our intellectual property assets, presented new data at scientific conferences and saw our findings published in peer reviewed journals. We are particularly pleased to move much closer to commercialization with both Piclidenoson, now in two Phase III studies, and Namodenoson, now completing a Phase II study," stated Can-Fite CEO Pnina Fishman. "We just announced top line results from our Phase II Namodenoson study in advanced liver cancer which produced encouraging results to move into a Phase III, even though the primary end point was not met. We believe our drugs’ strong safety profile, combined with efficacy in a specific sub-population within each target disease indication will improve patient health and longevity."

Financial Results

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $3.8 million, an increase of $3.0 million, or 384%, compared to $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in revenue was mainly due to the recognition of a $2 million advance payment received in August 2018 under the License, Collaboration and Distribution Agreement with CMS Medical and from the recognition of a portion of the $2.2 million advance payment received in January 2018 under the Distribution and Supply Agreement with Gebro.

Research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $6.0 million, an increase of $0.9 million, or 19%, compared to $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Research and developments expenses for the year ended 2018 comprised primarily of expenses associated with the Phase II studies for Namodenoson as well as expenses for ongoing studies of Piclidenoson. The increase is primarily due to increased costs associated with the initiation of the Phase III clinical trial of Piclidenoson for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. We expect that the research and development expenses will increase through 2019 and beyond.

General and administrative expenses were $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 an increase of $0.3 million, or 10%, compared to $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase is primarily due to an increase in professional services and investor relations expenses. We expect that general and administrative expenses will remain at the same level through 2019.

Financial expenses, net for the year ended December 31, 2018 aggregated $1.1 million compared to immaterial financial income, net for the same period in 2017. The increase in financial expense, net was mainly due to a loss from long-term investment revaluation and from recognition of interest expenses related to implementation of revenue recognition accounting standard IFRS 15, while in the same period in 2017, financial income was mainly due to fair value revaluation of warrants which were offset by financial expenses from exchange rate differences.

Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $6.6 million compared with a net loss of $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in net loss for the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily attributable to increase in revenues in 2018 which were offset by an increase in research and development expenses and increase in finance expenses, net.

As of December 31, 2018, Can-Fite had cash and cash equivalents of $3.6 million as compared to $3.5 million at December 31, 2017. The increase in cash during the year ended December 31, 2018 is due to increase in net cash provided by financing activity which was offset by a decrease in net cash used in operating activity. In January 2019, Can-Fite raised $2.35 million in a registered direct offering.