Benzinga | Feb 1, 2021 07:12AM EST

Can-Fite Completes Set Of Preclinical Studies Demonstrating That 'CBD rich T3/C15 cannabis fraction induces an inhibitory effect on liver fibrosis'

* T3/C15 enriched cannabis fraction inhibits liver fibrosis

* Findings add to Can-Fite's expertise and assets in the treatment of liver disease including liver cancer and NASH

Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE:CANF) (TASE:CFBI), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address inflammatory and liver diseases, announced today it has completed a set of pre-clinical studies demonstrating that CBD rich T3/C15 cannabis fraction induces an inhibitory effect on liver fibrosis. Fibrosis of the liver occurs when injured or inflamed liver cells can no longer repair themselves, resulting in an abnormally large amount of scar tissue. Liver fibrosis is associated with increased liver disease including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

As a global leader in discovering and developing drugs which target the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR), Can-Fite showed that cannabis derived compounds bind to A3AR, mediating therapeutic effects. CBD rich T3/C15 cannabis fraction inhibited the proliferation of LX-2 hepatic-stellate cells, the liver cell type mediating the development of fibrosis. This inhibitory response was neutralized by an antagonist to the A3AR, demonstrating that the anti-fibrotic effect was mediated via the A3AR.

"These data together with our unparalleled expertise in the development of liver fatty disease therapeutics that target A3AR, enable Can-Fite to contribute to unlocking the vast potential of cannabis derived compounds for the effective treatment of this pathological condition," stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman.

Can-Fite's small molecule drug candidate Namodenoson has shown efficacy in liver diseases and is headed into a pivotal Phase III in liver cancer and a Phase IIb in NASH. The Company has filed patent applications protecting its discovery of cannabinoid-based treatments where A3AR is overexpressed including liver cancer, other cancers, autoimmune, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases.

According to Adroit Market Research, the medical cannabis market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 29% to $56.7 billion by 2026.