Can-Fite Receives Notice of Allowance From U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for Osteoarthritis Drug

Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE:CFBI), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address cancer, liver and inflammatory diseases, today announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its patent application titled, “Use of A3 adenosine receptor agonist in the treatment of Osteoarthritis." This patent addresses methods for treating osteoarthritis with A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) agonists and has been granted to Can-Fite in major global markets including North and South America, Europe and Asia.

Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease impacting ageing populations and represents an $8 billion global treatment market in 2017 and is expected to rise to $11.6 billion by the end of 2025 according to Persistence Market Research.

Extensive research carried out by Can-Fite’s scientists suggests that A3AR agonists such as Piclidenoson may be useful in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Data on Piclidenoson’s anti-inflammatory effect and prevention of cartilage damage in osteoarthritis, as well as its mechanism of action, were published in the scientific journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.

“The notice of allowance for this patent application is designed to secure Can-Fite’s proprietary rights in a commercially very important and lucrative therapeutic indication,” said Dr. Ilan Cohn, the Company’s Chairman of the Board and Senior Partner of Israel’s largest intellectual property firm, Reinhold Cohn and Partners. “This new patent application adds significant value to Can-Fite’s very extensive and valuable patent estate and may provide the platform for developing Can-Fite’s proprietary A3AR agonists for osteoarthritis, where there is a market need for efficacious and safe drugs.”

About Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease that results from the breakdown of the cartilage of the joints and the deterioration of tendons and ligaments that can lead to pain and inflammation. The disease tends to occur in the hands, spine, hips, knees, and feet. The prevalence rate of osteoarthritis in the United States has been on the rise due to an increasing elderly population and rising rates of obesity. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 50 million Americans suffer from arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a top cause of disability in older people according to the American College of Rheumatology. Effective treatment options for osteoarthritis focus on reducing the pain and inflammation in the joints while protecting the joints from further damage.