Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. saw its shares rise 13.6% to $3.34 on Friday after securing a patent allowance from the Japan Patent Office for its lead drug candidate Namodenoson. The patent, Application No. 2025-049941, covers the use of A3 adenosine receptor agonists for treating obesity and related metabolic disorders. This development strengthens the company's intellectual property protection in a major pharmaceutical market and supports its strategy for global exclusivity.

The allowed patent is a divisional application of JP 2023-078136 and is titled "An A3 Adenosine Receptor Ligand for Use for Achieving a Fat Loss Effect." Can-Fite has already secured patent protection for this technology in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Israel. The company cited peer-reviewed research in the International Journal of Obesity validating Namodenoson's mechanism of action.

Namodenoson is an orally administered, highly selective A3 adenosine receptor agonist with an established safety profile from clinical studies. Preclinical and clinical findings suggest its potential to reduce fat accumulation while improving metabolic parameters. The drug is also being evaluated in a pivotal Phase 3 trial for advanced liver cancer, concluded a successful Phase 2a study in pancreatic cancer, and is enrolling patients for a Phase 2b trial in Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatohepatitis (MASH).

Dr. Pnina Fishman, Chairperson and Chief Scientific Officer of Can-Fite, emphasized the importance of this milestone. "The allowance of this patent in Japan significantly strengthens our global intellectual property portfolio in one of the world's most important pharmaceutical markets," she said. "Together with our growing body of scientific evidence and established clinical safety database, this expanding patent estate enhances the value of Namodenoson as a differentiated oral therapeutic candidate for obesity and metabolic diseases and further supports future partnering opportunities."

Analysts have recently adjusted their outlook on the stock. D. Boral Capital upgraded the stock to Buy with a target of $7.00 on May 13, while HC Wainwright & Co. maintained a Buy rating and raised its target to $5.00 on May 12. The stock currently carries a Buy rating with an average price target of $6.00.

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Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. announced the publication of a peer-reviewed scientific article demonstrating the broad therapeutic potential of its lead drug candidates, Piclidenoson and Namodenoson, across multiple major diseases. The article, titled "Adenosine A3 Receptor Agonists as Multisystemic Disease Modifiers: From Molecular Signaling to Clinical Translation," was published in the Biomolecules Journal. This publication represents a significant scientific validation of the company's A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) platform technology, reinforcing the potential of A3AR agonists to address diseases with significant unmet medical needs.

The review details evidence supporting A3AR agonist activity in a wide range of conditions. Findings from Can-Fite and independent research institutions worldwide indicate that activation of the A3AR modulates key pathological pathways involved in various diseases.

Pnina Fishman, CSO and Chairperson of Can-Fite, stated that the publication provides important scientific validation. She noted that many findings summarized in the review originate from independent research institutions and extend beyond the company's current clinical development programs.

Can-Fite's clinical pipeline currently includes Namodenoson in Phase 3 development for hepatocellular carcinoma, Phase 2 development for pancreatic cancer, and Phase 2b development for MASH. Piclidenoson is being evaluated in a pivotal Phase 3 study in psoriasis. The publication supports the company's strategy of leveraging A3AR agonists as a platform technology applicable to multiple therapeutic indications.