Can-Fite BioPharma announced the Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration has issued a Notice of Allowance for its patent titled “An A3 Adenosine Receptor Ligand for use in Treating Ectopic Fat Accumulation”. This patent addresses the use of the A3 Adenosine Receptor (A3AR) ligand, the target receptor for Can-Fite’s drug platform technology, to reduce liver fat particularly in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Can-Fite expects to commence a phase IIb study for its liver drug candidate Namodenoson in the treatment of NASH in Q3 2021 based on a successfully concluded phase IIa study in which Namodenoson was shown to reduce liver fat content and inhibit fibrosis.

Namodenoson has been out licensed for the treatment of NASH in China and is part of a deal worth up to US$ 74.5 million in milestone payments plus double-digit royalties. The treatment market for NASH in China is projected to reach US$ 6.4 billion by 2027 driven by increasing rates of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.

“As we prepare to commence enrollment next quarter for our phase IIb study of Namodenoson in the treatment of NASH, we are very pleased to build our patent estate around our technology in this high-value indication. This latest NASH patent adds to those already issued in the US, Europe, and South Korea,” stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman.