Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (TASE:CFBI) has obtained permission from the Ministry of Health to begin recruiting patients for the Phase I/II clinical trial of the company's drug CF102 for the treatment of type C hepatitis virus. The ethics committee of the Rabin Medical Center (Beilinson Hospital) in Petah Tikva also approved the trial.
The Phase I clinical trial of CF102, which was conducted in the US under US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, found that drug had a high safety profile. The results made it possible to move onto the present trial, which will test the drug's safety and effectiveness in patients with hepatitis C.
The company said that the current size of the hepatitis C treatment market is $3 billion, and that it is expected to growth to around $8.3 billion in 2012.
CF102, like Can-Fite's other lead drug candidate, CF-101, was found to be effective when taken orally.
Can-Fite is simultaneously recruiting patients for a Phase I/II clinical trial for CF102 for treating liver cancer, which is frequent among patients with hepatitis.
Can-Fite is based on the scientific research of CEO Prof. Pnina Fishman.
Can-Fite's share rose 4.4% in morning trading to NIS 13.25
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 14, 2009
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