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Can-Fite and the NIH Have Applied for a Patent to Treat Uveitis – a Sight-Threatening Disease
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Uveitis is an Additional Ophthalmology Indication for Can-Fite, Joining Dry Eye and Glaucoma in the Portfolio
Petah-Tikva, Israel -- Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd, a biopharmaceutical company, traded on the TASE (TASE: CFBI) and developing anti- inflammatory and anti-cancer drugs, announced today the filing of a patent application, in conjunction with the United Stated National Institutes of Health (NIH), for the treatment of Uveitis with its A3 adenosine receptor ligands. Uveitis is the third ophthalmology indication being pursued by Can-Fite, in addition to Dry Eye Syndrome and Glaucoma. Can-Fite successfully concluded a Phase II clinical study in patients with dry eye syndrome recently, and is currently conducting a Phase II clinical trial in patients with Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension.
Can-Fite and the National Eye Institute of the NIH, which collaborate under a Material-Transfer Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (M-CRADA), conducted animal studies which demonstrated the efficacy of Can-Fite’s lead molecule, CF101, in the treatment of experimental autoimmune uveitis. The submitted patent application protects the use of A3 adenosine receptor agonists for the treatment of Uveitis. Can-Fite is a leading company in the development of A3 adenosine receptors agonists for the treatment of human disease.
Uveitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that involves the internal parts of the eye. This disease can lead to severe pain and partial or complete vision loss. In some cases, uveitis is associated with other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Behcet's disease.
Prof. Pnina Fishman, CEO of Can-Fite, said today that "the current standard of care for patients with uveitis is steroids and systemic immunosuppressive therapy. The lack of specific drugs for the treatment of this condition creates a need for novel targeted therapies such as the products Can-Fite develops."
About Can-Fite
CAN-FITE BIOPHARMA LTD CAN-FITE BIOPHARMA LTD is a public company traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. The Company, which commenced business activity in 2000, was founded by Prof. Pnina Fishman, an investigator from Rabin Medical Center, and patent attorney Dr. Ilan Cohn, a senior partner at Reinhold Cohn Patent Attorneys. Prof. Pnina Fishman serves as the CEO of Can-Fite. The Company was founded on the basis of scientific findings made by Prof. Pnina Fishman and focuses on the development of small molecule-based drugs that bind to receptors of cancerous or inflammatory cells and inhibit their development. The leading drug of the company, CF101, is under advanced clinical development for inflammatory diseases and the second drug, CF102 is being developed for liver diseases, including liver cancer and viral Hepatitis C. Can-Fite has vast clinical experience. Thus far 700 patients participated in clinical trials done by the company.
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