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www.fdanews.com/articles/90393-can-fite-finds-drug-to-be-active-against-hepatitis-b

CAN-FITE FINDS DRUG TO BE ACTIVE AGAINST HEPATITIS B

February 20, 2007

Can-Fite BioPharma has announced preclinical study results showing that CF102 is active against hepatitis B virus, in addition to liver cancer, which is the first indication for which the drug is being developed. The new discovery may lead to the accelerated development of CF102.

Last fall the company announced that CF102, the second drug in its pipeline, would be developed for treating liver cancer. The company said it plans to begin Phase I clinical trials by the end of 2007.

CF102 belongs to a chemical class of substances called nucleosides, which includes the currently marketed antiviral drugs. Preclinical trials have shown that CF102 performs well in the inhibition of liver cancer in animal models. The A3 adenosine receptor, which is the drug's target, is overexpressed in liver cancer tumors, according to Can-Fite.

"This is a genuine scientific and commercial breakthrough. The new discovery essentially indicates that, in addition to its activity in suppressing liver cancer, the drug CF102 is also effective in suppressing the hepatitis B virus, one of the main pathogens of liver cancer," Pnina Fishman, CEO of Can-Fite, said.