ISRAELI BIOTECH TO DEVELOP TREATMENT FOR PSORIASIS

Israel-based Can-Fite BioPharma is developing its drug CF101 for inflammatory disorders and psoriasis. This is in addition the other indications currently being tested in clinical trials, including rheumatoid arthritis and dry eye syndrome. The company is planning to begin Phase II trials in patients with psoriasis, since the safety profile of the drug has already been demonstrated in previous studies.

The company's studies in patients with psoriasis have shown that the target of the drug (adenosine A3 receptor) is highly expressed on the surface of psoriatic cells, and therefore patients with psoriasis should respond to CF101. Moreover, the drug's mechanism of action (suppression of the inflammatory mediator TNF-(alpha)) was found to support the potential use of CF101 for the treatment of psoriasis.

CF101 specifically attacks affected cells without compromising normal body systems, and therefore has a favorable safety profile. The drug is based on a scientific concept suggesting that the drug's target is only present on the surface of affected cells.

Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects 2 to 3 percent of the general population, according to the company. The annual market share for this condition is estimated at $3 billion.