Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE: CANF) shares were lower Tuesday. The Israeli-based company, a clinical-stage biotechnology concern advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs addressing oncological and inflammatory diseases, today announced the publication of a peer-reviewed study in the International Journal of Obesity demonstrating the anti-obesity effect of namodenoson, the Company’s lead drug candidate.
The article, titled “The anti-obesity effect of namodenoson, an A3 adenosine receptor agonist,” is now available online as an Open Access publication (https://rdcu.be/e37sf).
The study evaluated the effects of namodenoson in adipocytes (3T3-L1 fat cells) in vitro and in a murine high-fat diet model of obesity. The findings are consistent with previously reported data from a Phase IIa clinical study in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), in which treatment with namodenoson for three months was associated with reductions in liver fat and body weight.
A Phase IIb MASH study is currently enrolling patients and is designed to evaluate effects on inflammation, fibrosis, steatosis, and body weight.
Namodenoson has demonstrated a favorable safety profile across preclinical and clinical studies and is protected by a broad patent portfolio.
CANF shares dipped 16 cents, or 3.5%, to $4.37.
