On November 20, 2018 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE MKT: CANF) (TASE:CFBI), a biotechnology company with a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address cancer, liver and inflammatory diseases, reported that Professor Josep Llovet, an experienced leader with deep background in liver cancer research and development, has been commissioned by the Company to assist in the analysis of the Phase II data that is anticipated during the first quarter of 2019 (Press release, Can-Fite BioPharma, NOV 20, 2018, View Source [SID1234531488]).
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Professor Llovet is Founder and Director of the Liver Cancer Program and Full Professor of Medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York University (USA), and Professor of Research-ICREA in the BCLC Group, Liver Unit, IDIBAPS-Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona. Professor Llovet has been President, Secretary and Founder of the International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA) and Chairman of the European Clinical Practice Guidelines of management of liver cancer (EASL-EORTC). A renowned key opinion leader, Dr. Llovet has published more than 240 articles in peer-reviewed journals, more than 50 chapters of books, and has delivered more than 500 lectures. He has devoted the past 20 years of his career studying the pathogenesis and treatment of liver cancer.
"We are proud and honored to have the expertise of Prof. Llovet, who is one of the most distinguished Key Opinion Leaders in the field of liver diseases, on our team. We look forward to the insights he will contribute in the analysis of data of our Phase II advanced liver cancer study when the results are unblinded sometime during the first quarter of 2019. We believe his depth of experience both as researcher and as medical practitioner in treatment of liver cancer will be beneficial to Can-Fite. His insight and commitment to this field will be quite helpful as we create a new approach for liver cancer therapy," stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman.
Due to patient survival, top line efficacy results are expected during the first quarter of 2019 for Can-Fite’s Phase II clinical trial of drug candidate Namodenoson (CF102) for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with a Child Pugh B score whose disease has progressed on sorafenib therapy. Enrollment of 78 patients was completed in August 2017 and the trial continues treating subjects in a blinded fashion (either Namodenoson 25 mg BID or matching placebo). Namodenoson has received Fast Track Status in the U.S. and Orphan Drug Designation in Europe and the U.S.
About Namodenoson
Namodenoson is a small orally bioavailable drug that binds with high affinity and selectivity to the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR). Namodenoson is being 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.