On January 30, 2024 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE:CANF), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address oncological and inflammatory diseases, reported that it has expanded its out licensing transaction with Ewopharma AG. to include the pancreatic cancer indication of Can-Fite (Press release, Can-Fite BioPharma, JAN 30, 2024, View Source [SID1234639717]).

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During 2021, Can-Fite entered into an exclusive distribution agreement for Piclidenoson with Switzerland-based Ewopharma AG for the treatment of psoriasis and Namodenoson for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Under the terms of the distribution agreement, Ewopharma AG paid Can-Fite an upfront payment of US$2.25 million with up to an additional US$40.45 million, payable upon the achievement of regulatory and sales milestones, plus 17.5% royalties on net sales. In exchange, Ewopharma AG received the exclusive right to market and sell Piclidenoson in Central Eastern European (CEE) countries and Namodenoson in CEE countries and Switzerland.

Ewopharma AG exercised its right to expand the distribution agreement to include the indication of pancreatic cancer and the transaction terms of the distribution agreement are applicable to such indication.

Ewopharma is a pharmaceutical sales and marketing firm that helps pharma companies access markets in CEE and Switzerland. In addition to Can-Fite, Ewopharma AG has distribution agreements with many leading healthcare companies including Eisai and Biogen.

"We are very pleased to expand the distribution agreement with Ewopharma, a leader in pharmaceutical distribution in Central Eastern Europe and Switzerland and include the pancreatic cancer indication. We consider this to be an important transaction for Can-Fite that will enable penetration into Ewopharma’s territory right after approval of the drug for this indication, where there are no other efficacious drugs," stated Can-Fite VP Business Development Dr. Sari Fishman.

About Namodenoson

Namodenoson is a small orally bioavailable drug that binds with high affinity and selectivity to the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR). Namodenoson was evaluated in Phase II trials for two indications, as a second line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, and as a treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A3AR is highly expressed in diseased cells whereas low expression is found in normal cells. This differential effect accounts for the excellent safety profile of the drug. In the last 2 years Can-Fite started to develop Namodenoson for the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma. Based on pre-clinical studies which demonstrated robust anti-tumor effect of the drug on experimental models of pancreatic carcinoma, the company decided to initiate an exploratory Phase II study in patients with pancreatic carcinoma who failed first line treatment.