6 March 2020 - - Data from the interim analysis of Piclidenoson in Israel-based biotechnology company Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd's (NYSE MKT: CANF) (TASE: CFBI) Phase III clinical study is expected to be released during Q420, the company said.

Moreover and in line with the reports that rheumatoid arthritis drugs have been introduced for the treatment of the Coronavirus, the company is now exploring a collaboration to look at the effect of Piclidenoson against Coronavirus.

Can Fite drug candidates possess anti-viral effect protected by a US patent US7589075.

Recently, two pharmaceutical companies announced the introduction of RA drugs for the treatment of patients with Coronavirus.

Gilead is conducting a clinical study in China which combines its anti-viral drug candidate Remdisivir with the old RA drug chloroquine.

In addition, Roche has donated its Actemra anti-RA drug for the treatment of patients in China.

Can Fite is now exploring the possibility to collaborate with leading virology labs to explore the anti-viral effect of its drugs against the Coronavirus based on the known anti-viral and anti-rheumatic effects of the company drugs.

Can Fite completed the enrolment of 50% of the 525 patients planned for its Phase III ACRobat trial to evaluate its drug candidate Piclidenoson as a first-line treatment for RA.

An interim analysis is being implemented, and will be managed and monitored by an independent data monitoring committee that will have un-blinded access to the data which are expected during 3Q20.

Piclidenoson is a novel, first-in-class, A3 adenosine receptor agonist small molecule, orally bioavailable drug with a favourable therapeutic index demonstrated in Phase II clinical studies. Piclidenoson is currently under development for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases.

It is being evaluated in a Phase III study as a first line treatment, to replace methotrexate, in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and a Phase III study in the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CFBI) is an advanced clinical stage drug development company with a platform technology that is designed to address multi-billion dollar markets in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disease and sexual dysfunction.

The company's lead drug candidate, Piclidenoson, is currently in Phase III trials for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

Can-Fite's liver cancer drug, Namodenoson, recently completed a Phase II trial for hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer, and is in a Phase II trial for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Namodenoson has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the US and Europe and Fast Track Designation as a second line treatment for HCC by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Namodenoson has also shown proof of concept to potentially treat other cancers including colon, prostate, and melanoma.

CF602, the company's third drug candidate, has shown efficacy in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in preclinical studies and the company is investigating additional compounds, targeting A3AR, for the treatment of sexual dysfunction.