PETACH TIKVA, Israel, May 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE MKT: CANF) (CFBI.TA), a biotechnology company with a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs being developed to treat inflammatory diseases, cancer and sexual dysfunction, today announced it recently received clearance from the European Medicines Agency to commence dosing patients in Europe in its global Phase II trial for CF102 in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer. Shortly after receiving approval, the first patient in Europe was dosed.
The Phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial is being conducted in the U.S., Israel, and Europe. The trial protocol has been approved by regulatory agencies in all three regions and patients have been dosed in Israel and Europe. The study plans to enroll 78 HCC patients with Child-Pugh Class B cirrhosis who failed the only FDA approved drug on the market, Nexavar (sorafenib). Patients are treated twice daily with 25 mg of CF102, which has been found to be the most efficacious dose in Can-Fite’s earlier Phase I/II study resulting in the longest overall survival time, with excellent safety results.
CF102 has already been granted Orphan Drug Status for the treatment of HCC by the FDA. CF102 is also approved for Compassionate Use by Israel’s Ministry of Health.
“There are no treatment options for patients with advanced liver cancer who have not benefitted from treatment with Nexavar, the only FDA-approved drug on the market for this indication. As patients, who have virtually no other options, are being dosed with CF102, it is certainly our hope that the drug will be of benefit to them,” stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman.
According to Global Industry Analysts, the global market for liver cancer is projected to exceed $2 billion in 2015. Based on data reported in industry publications, Nexavar annual sales were approximately $1 billion in 2012 and 2013.
