CAN-FITE INITIATES PHASE IIB TRIALS OF ARTHRITIS DRUG

Israeli drugmaker Can-Fite BioPharma announced that it has begun Phase IIb clinical trials of its drug CF101 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The company also said it received the final report on the results of the Phase IIa clinical trials of the drug, which showed efficacy.

The Phase IIa clinical trials tested the efficacy and safety of CF101 in 74 patients suffering from chronic rheumatoid arthritis. The drug was administered in three dosages, 0.1 mg, 1 mg and 4 mg, for a period of 12 weeks. The trials aimed to test the improvement in the disease indices, including the number of swollen joints and the levels of pain experienced by patients.

The Phase IIb clinical trials will be conducted in 250 patients in the U.S., Europe and Israel.