Can-Fite BioPharma (NYSE American: CANF), a biotechnology company with a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address inflammatory, cancer and liver diseases, entered a collaborative research agreement with the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University to explore anti-viral activity of Piclidenoson on Coronaviruses viral load in a mammalian cell model system as a first step to developing a treatment.
Why It Matters: In some patients, coronaviruses create uncontrolled immune response and rheumatoid arthritis drugs may be used for treatment. Recently, China has approved the use of Roche’s Actemra, approved by U.S. FDA to treat rheumatoid arthritis, to treat coronavirus patients with serious lung damage. Moreover, Gilead is conducting a clinical study in China combining its rheumatoid arthritis drug chloroquine with its anti-viral candidate in the treatment of coronavirus.
Key Quote: “We are privileged to work with Dr. Khalili, a Key Opinion Leader in the arena of neurosciences and virology, to further study and advance our understanding of the effect of Piclidenoson on the coronaviruses replication and molecular mechanism involved. This work aims to provide a more solid foundation for our ongoing efforts to understand the potential of Piclidenoson in these therapeutic areas.” – Dr. Pnina Fishman, CEO
The Backstory: Can Fite’s drug Piclidenoson is currently in Phase III study for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and on top of it has been shown to possess anti-viral effects against 2 single stranded RNA viruses HIV and HCC. The Coronaviruses are also single stranded RNA viruses. Can-Fites’s Piclidenoson’s anti-viral effect is protected by U.S. patent US7589075.
Disclosure
Can-Fite Biopharma (CANF) is a client of RedChip Companies, Inc. CANF agreed to pay RedChip Companies, Inc. a cash fee of $5,000 monthly, beginning in August 2019, and 16,500 shares of CANF Rule 144 stock for 6 months of RedChip investor awareness services and consulting services.
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