Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE MKT: CANF) (TASE: CFBI), a biotechnology company with a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address inflammatory and cancer diseases, announced today that the Israeli Ministry of Health (MOH) has approved the use of its drug CF102 for a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer, under the country's Compassionate Use Program. The program allows doctor-initiated single-patient access to investigational treatments for innovative or investigational products not yet registered in any country worldwide. Can-Fite has also previously received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for CF102 in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
This patient was previously enrolled in Can-Fite's Phase I/II dose escalating liver cancer study in Israel and has been successfully treated with CF102 for about 5 years. Data from the completed Phase I/II study demonstrated a very favorable safety profile, lack of hepatotoxicity, stabilization of the disease in 22% of patients, prolonged survival time as compared to placebo and regression of skin tumor metastases.
Based on these encouraging results, Can-Fite has begun a global Phase II trial for CF102 as a second-line treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with Child-Pugh Class B cirrhosis in patients who have failed Nexavar (sorafenib) which is the only FDA approved drug for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The Phase II study will be conducted in the U.S., Europe, and Israel with 78 subjects who will be dosed with CF102. The study protocol has been approved in Israel and the U.S., and approval is expected from the Europe Union.
According to Global Industry Analysts, the global liver cancer drug market is expected to exceed $2 billion by 2015.
"We are so pleased the Ministry of Health has granted continued use of CF102 under the Compassionate Use Program for this patient who appears to have benefitted greatly from our drug. Prior to enrolling in our Phase I/II study, the patient had undergone all other approved treatments and they had failed to halt the progression of the disease. We are told by his doctor that he is in strong and stable health and we wish him continued wellbeing," stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman. "We believe that the very favorable safety data from our Phase I/II trial may have been a key factor in the MOH's decision to approve CF102 for compassionate use."
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