Benzinga | Jul 27, 2020 07:03AM EDT

Can-Fite Submits Investigational New Drug Application To FDA For COVID-19 Phase II Study

* 28-day study in hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19 symptoms

* Piclidenoson is an anti-inflammatory drug with a well-established safety profile

Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE:CANF) (TASE:CFBI), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address inflammatory, cancer and liver diseases, announced today that it has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a Phase II study of its lead drug candidate Piclidenoson in the treatment of COVID-19. The IND application is based on feedback and guidance from the FDA from prior pre-IND advice.

Piclidenoson has been dosed in over 1,000 patients in prior trials as well as two ongoing Phase III studies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

"With the unfortunate resurgence of COVID-19 infections worldwide, the urgency of finding effective treatments for COVID-19 is more pressing now than ever. Working with the FDA through its Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program (CTAP), we expect IND activation soon to begin our Phase II trial," stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman.

The Phase II study titled, "Piclidenoson for Treatment of COVID-19 -- A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial" is a pilot trial in a population of hospitalized patients who will receive Piclidenoson in addition to standard supportive care. Eligible patients are those with "moderate" COVID-19 per U.S. National Institutes of Health Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Treatment Guidelines. Forty patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the trial arms of Piclidenoson 2 mg twice daily or placebo, and treated for up to 28 days. Efficacy will be assessed through standard measures of clinical and respiratory status at Day 29, including the proportion of patients alive and free of respiratory failure, as well as the proportion discharged home without need for supplemental oxygen. Safety and pharmacokinetic data will also be captured.