6-K – Report of foreign issuer [Rules 13a-16 and 15d-16]

On April 1, 2016 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE MKT: CANF) (TASE:CFBI), a biotechnology company with a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs being developed to treat inflammatory diseases, cancer and sexual dysfunction, reported it has filed its 2015 Annual Report on Form 20-F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Filing, Annual, Can-Fite BioPharma, 2015, APR 1, 2016, View Source [SID:1234510288]).

Clinical Development Program and Corporate Highlights Include:

● CF101 – Preparing Phase III Trials in Rheumatoid Arthritis & Psoriasis Scheduled to Commence in 2016

Can-Fite completed its Phase III trial protocol and Registration Plan for CF101 in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and submitted it to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in March 2016. The Company anticipates commencing the trial in the second or third quarter of 2016.

The Phase III trial protocol for CF101 in the treatment of psoriasis is nearing completion, and is planned to be filed with the EMA in the first half of 2016, with study initiation expected in the fourth quarter of 2016.

● CF102 – Conducting Phase II Trial in Liver Cancer & Plans to Commence Phase II Trial in NASH

Can-Fite continues to enroll and dose patients in its global Phase II liver cancer study in the U.S., Europe, and Israel. Completion of enrollment with approximately 78 patients is expected in the second half of 2016. In 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track Designation to CF102 as a second line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who have previously received Nexavar (sorafenib). HCC is the most common form of liver cancer. CF102 has Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. for HCC and in 2015 also received Orphan Drug Designation from the EMA for the indication of HCC.

Following compelling preclinical data reported in 2015 on CF102’s efficacy in the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), Can-Fite is preparing to file its Phase II protocol with institutional review boards (IRBs) in the second quarter of 2016. This new indication for CF102 addresses a market estimated to reach $35-$40 billion by 2025 according to Deutsche Bank.

● CF602 – Preparing to Submit IND to FDA for Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction

Can-Fite is currently conducting further preclinical work for CF602 in the treatment of sexual dysfunction in preparation to submit an investigational new drug (IND) application to the FDA in the fourth quarter of 2016. In 2015, Can-Fite reported new findings showing CF602 demonstrated effects on erectile dysfunction superior to that of Viagra in animal studies.

● OphthaliX – Phase II Results for CF101 in Treatment of Glaucoma Expected in Q2 2016

In 2015, Can-Fite’s subsidiary OphthaliX completed patient enrollment in its Phase II trial for CF101 in the treatment glaucoma and related syndromes of ocular hypertension. The Company expects to report data from this study in the second quarter of 2016.

"We believe our portfolio of small molecule drug candidates has strong potential to address unmet needs in today’s treatment markets. Having been tested in over 1,000 patients to date, our drugs have proven safe and shown efficacy in numerous clinical trials," stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman. "We are continuing to conduct a very active clinical program designed to move several of these drugs towards regulatory approvals."

Revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 were NIS 0.64 million ($0.16 million). We did not record any revenues during the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in revenue was due to the recognition of a portion of the NIS 5.14 million ($1.32 million) upfront payment received in March 2015 under the distribution agreement with Cipher Pharmaceuticals.

Research and development expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 were NIS 15.05 million (U.S. $3.86 million) compared with NIS 16.2 million (U.S. $4.15 million) for the same period in 2014. Research and development expenses for 2015 comprised primarily of expenses associated with the Phase II study for CF102 as well as expenses for ongoing studies of CF101. The decrease is primarily due to the completion of the Phase II/III psoriasis study during the first quarter of 2015 and a decrease in the scope of the non-clinical expenses during 2015 as compared to the parallel period in 2014.

General and administrative expenses were NIS 10.63 million (U.S. $2.72 million) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 compared to NIS 11.57 million (U.S. $2.97 million) for the same period in 2014. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction in salary and investor and public relations expenses.

Financial income, net for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 aggregated NIS 5.29 million (U.S. $1.36 million) compared to financial income, net of NIS 3.27 million (U.S. $0.84 million) for the same period in 2014. The increase in financial income, net in 2015 was mainly due to a decrease in the fair value of warrants that are accounted as financial liability.

Can-Fite’s net loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 was NIS 19.77 million (U.S. $5.07 million) compared with a net loss of NIS 24.52 million (U.S. $6.28 million) for the same period in 2014. The decrease in net loss for 2015 was primarily attributable to decreases in operating expenses and an increase in financial income, net.

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As of December 31, 2015, Can-Fite had cash and cash equivalents of NIS 66.03 million (U.S. $16.92 million) as compared to NIS 36.09 million (U.S. $9.25 million) at December 31, 2014. The increase in cash during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 is due to NIS 48.33 million (U.S. $12.39 million) raised from registered direct offerings in September and October 2015 and NIS 5.14 million (U.S. $1.32 million) received from Cipher Pharmaceuticals as upfront payment for entering into the distribution agreement with Cipher offset by operating expenses.

For the convenience of the reader, the reported NIS amounts have been translated into U.S. dollars, at the representative rate of exchange on December 31, 2015 (U.S. $ 1 = NIS 3.902).

The Company’s consolidated financial results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 are presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

The 2015 Annual Report can be found on the Company’s website at www.canfite.com as well as on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. In addition, security holders may request a hard copy of the Annual Report, which includes the Company’s complete audited financial statements, free of charge. Requests can be made by contacting Can-Fite Investor Relations at 10 Bareket Street, Kiryat Matalon, Petah-Tikva 4951778, Israel or by phone at +972-3-9241114.

Immunotargeting of Integrin α6β4 for Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography and Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging in a Pancreatic Cancer Model.

To explore suitable imaging probes for early and specific detection of pancreatic cancer, we demonstrated that α6β4integrin is a good target and employed single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or near-infrared (NIR) imaging for immunotargeting. Expression levels of α6β4were examined by Western blotting and flow cytometry in certain human pancreatic cancer cell lines. The human cell line BxPC-3 was used for α6β4-positive and a mouse cell line, A4, was used for negative counterpart. We labeled antibody against α6β4with Indium-111 ((111)In) or indocyanine green (ICG). After injection of(111)In-labeled probe to tumor-bearing mice, biodistribution, SPECT, autoradiography (ARG), and immunohistochemical (IHC) studies were conducted. After administration of ICG-labeled probe, in vivo and ex vivo NIR imaging and fluorescence microscopy of tumors were performed. BxPC-3 tumor showed a higher radioligand binding in SPECT and higher fluorescence intensity as well as a delay in the probe washout in NIR imaging when compared to A4 tumor. The biodistribution profile of(111)In-labeled probe, ARG, and IHC confirmed the α6β4specific binding of the probe. Here, we propose that α6β4is a desirable target for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and that it could be detected by radionuclide imaging and NIR imaging using a radiolabeled or ICG-labeled α6β4antibody.
© The Author(s) 2016.

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Cullin-RING ubiquitin E3 ligase regulation by the COP9 signalosome.

The cullin-RING ubiquitin E3 ligase (CRL) family comprises over 200 members in humans. The COP9 signalosome complex (CSN) regulates CRLs by removing their ubiquitin-like activator NEDD8. The CUL4A-RBX1-DDB1-DDB2 complex (CRL4A(DDB2)) monitors the genome for ultraviolet-light-induced DNA damage. CRL4A(DBB2) is inactive in the absence of damaged DNA and requires CSN to regulate the repair process. The structural basis of CSN binding to CRL4A(DDB2) and the principles of CSN activation are poorly understood. Here we present cryo-electron microscopy structures for CSN in complex with neddylated CRL4A ligases to 6.4 Å resolution. The CSN conformers defined by cryo-electron microscopy and a novel apo-CSN crystal structure indicate an induced-fit mechanism that drives CSN activation by neddylated CRLs. We find that CSN and a substrate cannot bind simultaneously to CRL4A, favouring a deneddylated, inactive state for substrate-free CRL4 complexes. These architectural and regulatory principles appear conserved across CRL families, allowing global regulation by CSN.

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[PDF]BioWa Announces Office Relocation to Princeton, NJ and appointment of New President and CEO

On April 1, 2016 BioWa, Inc. ("BioWa") reported that it was relocating its office from La Jolla, California to Princeton, New Jersey, and appointment of Mr. Takeshi Masuda, as the President and CEO for the next stage of corporate development (Press release, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, APR 1, 2016, View Source [SID:1234510289]).

Mr. Masuda has also served as President of Kyowa Kirin USA Holdings, Inc. the holding company of Kyowa Hakko Kirin’s US pharmaceutical subsidiaries.

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BioWa develops partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and biotechs through the licensing of proprietary therapeutic antibody technologies POTELLIGENT and COMPLEGENT. These technologies were developed by Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Co. Ltd. and BioWa will be continuing a role as the exclusive worldwide licensor of those technologies after relocation to Princeton.

Analysis of tumor suppressor genes based on gene ontology and the KEGG pathway.

Cancer is a serious disease that causes many deaths every year. We urgently need to design effective treatments to cure this disease. Tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) are a type of gene that can protect cells from becoming cancerous. In view of this, correct identification of TSGs is an alternative method for identifying effective cancer therapies. In this study, we performed gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis of the TSGs and non-TSGs. Some popular feature selection methods, including minimum redundancy maximum relevance (mRMR) and incremental feature selection (IFS), were employed to analyze the enrichment features. Accordingly, some GO terms and KEGG pathways, such as biological adhesion, cell cycle control, genomic stability maintenance and cell death regulation, were extracted, which are important factors for identifying TSGs. We hope these findings can help in building effective prediction methods for identifying TSGs and thereby, promoting the discovery of effective cancer treatments.

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