Quick Takeaways:
- Can-Fite BioPharma announced that its veterinary partner Vetbiolix has completed enrollment in a Phase 2 study evaluating Piclidenoson for osteoarthritis in dogs, with 118 subjects enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- The study assesses twice-daily oral Piclidenoson over 90 days, with the primary endpoint based on the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD) score, and secondary endpoints including VAS (owner-assessed pain) and NRS (veterinarian-evaluated lameness and pain); topline results are expected in Q3 2026
- Vetbiolix has exercised its option for a full licensing agreement and will fund development and regulatory activities, while Can-Fite is eligible for up to $325M in milestones and royalties, positioning Piclidenoson as a potential safer oral alternative in the ~$3B canine osteoarthritis market by 2028
Why It Matters?
Piclidenoson’s Phase 2 enrollment milestone, fully funded by Vetbiolix, moves this A3 adenosine receptor agonist closer to potential registration as a chronic oral osteoarthritis option in dogs, with LOAD, VAS, and NRS endpoints aligned to prior positive 90‑day data from earlier Vetbiolix studies.
With Vetbiolix now fully licensed and responsible for development and regulatory work, Can‑Fite stands to earn up to 325 million dollars in milestones and royalties in a canine osteoarthritis market projected around 3–3.8 billion dollars by 2028-2030, giving it meaningful upside from a partnered, non‑core asset if Phase 2 and subsequent trials read out well.
Source: Globenewswire
