Picking up some patents

PETACH TIKVA, Israel—Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. announced today that it has been granted patents in Canada, South Korea and Israel for its patent entitled, “A3 adenosine receptor ligands for use in treatment of a sexual dysfunction” for the drug candidate CF602. Patents have also been issued in the U.S., Australia, China, Hong Kong and Japan over the past few years.

“CF602 has a unique mechanism of action that makes it suitable to potentially treat sexual dysfunction safely in patients with diabetes mellitus. This is a clear and unmet need in the market today, as the leading sexual dysfunction drugs can be contraindicated for diabetics,” stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman. “We are now actively looking for and evaluating potential strategic partners that may in-license and develop CF602 in this indication.”

Preclinical studies in rats with diabetes mellitus show that CF602 has a mechanism of action similar to sildenafil (Viagra), with CF602 demonstrating effects on erection superior to that demonstrated by sildenafil in animal studies. In a diabetic rat model, CF602 demonstrated a 188% and 250% increase in penile intracavernous pressure for rats treated with CF602 for 1 day and for 5 days, respectively, as compared to placebo. CF602 demonstrated statistically significant full recovery from erectile dysfunction after a single dose treatment in a diabetic rat model.

According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 30 million Americans have diabetes mellitus in the U.S. It’s estimated that 35-75% of men with diabetes mellitus suffer from erectile dysfunction.

Earlier in November, Can-Fite BioPharma also announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued Patent #10,265,337, entitled “Use of A3 Adenosine Receptor Agonist in Osteoarthritis Treatment,” for Can-Fite’s drug candidate Piclidenoson for the treatment of osteoarthritis in mammals.

Piclidenoson is a novel, first-in-class, A3 adenosine receptor agonist (A3AR) small molecule, orally bioavailable drug with a favorable therapeutic index demonstrated in Phase 2 clinical studies. Piclidenoson is currently under development for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. It’s being evaluated in a Phase 3 study as a first line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and a Phase 3 study in the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Can-Fite is evaluating potential partnerships with companies in the animal health pharmaceutical market that may in-license and develop Piclidenoson for the companion animal market.

“As the number of companion animals increase and their role in family life becomes more prominent, the animal health market has shown robust growth. Piclidenoson may provide superior relief to companion animals for indications including canine osteoarthritis,” noted Fishman in a press release. “While Can-Fite remains entirely focused on the development of Piclidenoson for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis indications, we do see an opportunity to out-license our drugs in the veterinary market.”