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, today announced that the World Health Organization's International Nonproprietary Name group has accepted the proposed generic name "piclidenoson" for its lead drug candidate, CF101.
"We are pleased that the World Health Organization recognized the very unique pharmacological nature of CF101 and has granted it a new generic name," stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman. "This is a very important step towards bringing a new drug to market and comes at an important time for Can-Fite as we prepare to enter advanced stage clinical trials for CF101 in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis."
International Nonproprietary Names (INN) facilitate the identification of pharmaceutical substances or active pharmaceutical ingredients. Each INN is a unique name that is globally recognized and is public property. A nonproprietary name is also known as a generic name. The INN system's aim is to provide health professionals with a unique and universally available designated name to identify each pharmaceutical substance. The existence of an international nomenclature for pharmaceutical substances is important for the clear identification, safe prescription and dispensing of medicines to patients, and for communication and exchange of information among health professionals and scientists worldwide.