Can-Fite Announces Scientific Breakthrough Publication Demonstrating Anti-Obesity Effect of Namodenoson

Rhea-AI Summary

Can-Fite (NYSE American: CANF) announced a peer-reviewed International Journal of Obesity publication (Feb 17, 2026) showing namodenoson reduced adipocyte proliferation and lipid accumulation in vitro and produced a statistically significant reduction in weight gain in a murine high-fat diet model after four weeks.

According to the company, findings align with prior Phase IIa MASH data showing reduced liver fat and body weight, highlight modulation of adiponectin and multiple metabolic pathways, note a favorable safety profile, and point to potential expansion into the growing obesity treatment market.

Positive

• Statistically significant weight gain reduction in murine high-fat diet model (four-week dosing)
• Phase IIa MASH data showed reductions in liver fat and body weight
• Favorable safety profile across preclinical and clinical studies
• Protected by a broad patent portfolio

Negative

• Primary new efficacy data are preclinical (in vitro and murine), not yet confirmed in Phase IIb
• Phase IIb MASH study is currently enrolling; no Phase IIb obesity outcomes reported

Key Figures

MASH treatment duration: 3 months Namodenoson dosing period: 4 weeks Phase IIa status: Phase IIa +3 more

6 metrics

MASH treatment duration 3 months Phase IIa MASH study treatment period mentioned in publication

Namodenoson dosing period 4 weeks Daily oral administration in high-fat diet obesity model

Phase IIa status Phase IIa Previously reported MASH clinical study cited in article

Phase IIb status Phase IIb Current MASH study enrolling patients for further evaluation

Obesity market size $60.5 billion Projected global obesity treatment market by 2030

Obesity market CAGR 22% Projected compound annual growth rate through 2030

Market Reality Check

Price: $4.41 Vol: Volume 40,236 is at 0.55x...

low vol

$4.41 Last Close

Volume Volume 40,236 is at 0.55x the 20-day average of 73,716, indicating modest participation. low

Technical Shares at $4.53 are trading below the 200-day MA of $12.54 and 90.28% below the 52-week high of $46.60.

Peers on Argus

CANF gained 4.86% while peers were mixed: BIVI rose 14.41%, but ADAP, CYCC, MTVA...

CANF gained 4.86% while peers were mixed: BIVI rose 14.41%, but ADAP, CYCC, MTVA, and NXTC declined, pointing to a stock-specific reaction rather than a broad biotech move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 09 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 09	Obesity patent IP	Positive	+1.4%	Canadian patent allowance for Namodenoson as anti-obesity therapy.
Feb 05	Compassionate use case	Positive	+5.2%	Namodenoson supported stabilization enabling successful liver transplant.
Jan 20	Trial enrollment complete	Positive	-0.3%	Completed enrollment in Phase 2a pancreatic cancer study of Namodenoson.
Dec 26	Brazil patent grant	Positive	+18.6%	Brazilian patent granted for A3AR agonist in sexual dysfunction.
Dec 23	Reverse split, ADS change	Negative	-1.7%	1-for-3,000 reverse split and ADS ratio change implemented.

Pattern Detected

CANF often reacts positively to Namodenoson IP and clinical updates, with only occasional divergences on generally favorable news.

Recent Company History

Over recent months, Can-Fite has repeatedly highlighted Namodenoson’s potential across multiple indications. IP expansion for obesity in Canada and Brazil, clinical milestones in pancreatic cancer, and a compassionate-use liver cirrhosis case all underscored a favorable safety profile and broadened pipeline. Today’s obesity-focused mechanistic data and weight-gain findings in preclinical models build on earlier MASH and obesity-related disclosures, further positioning Namodenoson within metabolic disease alongside its oncology and liver programs.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement adds mechanistic and preclinical support for Namodenoson’s role in obesity and MAS...

Analysis

This announcement adds mechanistic and preclinical support for Namodenoson’s role in obesity and MASH, including effects on adipocytes, weight gain, and pathways like PI3K and NF-κB. It builds on prior clinical safety data and expanding IP around metabolic indications within a global obesity market projected at $60.5 billion by 2030. Investors may watch upcoming MASH Phase IIb readouts, further obesity-focused trials, and any corporate or regulatory updates that clarify development and partnering paths.

Key Terms

a3 adenosine receptor agonist, adipocytes, murine, adiponectin, +3 more

7 terms

a3 adenosine receptor agonist medical

"The anti-obesity effect of namodenoson, an A3 adenosine receptor agonist"

An a3 adenosine receptor agonist is a drug that binds to and activates a specific protein on cell surfaces called the a3 adenosine receptor, which helps regulate inflammation, pain signals and tissue protection. Think of it as flipping a targeted biological switch to calm harmful processes. Investors watch these drugs because their clinical trial results, safety profile and regulatory approval determine whether they can become new treatments with significant market value and revenue potential.

adipocytes medical

"The study evaluated the effects of namodenoson in adipocytes (3T3-L1 fat cells)"

Adipocytes are the body's fat cells that store energy as lipid droplets and release it when the body needs fuel; think of them as small storage tanks for excess calories. They also send chemical signals that affect metabolism, inflammation and hormones, so changes in adipocyte number or behavior can alter disease risk, treatment response and healthcare costs — making them important to investors tracking drugs, diagnostics or devices for obesity, diabetes and related conditions.

murine medical

"and in a murine high-fat diet model of obesity"

Murine describes studies, cells, or models that involve mice or rats—laboratory rodents used to test drugs, vaccines, or biological effects. For investors, murine results indicate early, preclinical evidence that can suggest a therapy's potential but often do not predict human outcomes; treat such findings as preliminary signals with higher uncertainty, like a trial on a scale model rather than the finished product.

adiponectin medical

"Treatment upregulated adiponectin, a hormone associated with improved metabolic regulation"

A hormone produced by body fat that helps control blood sugar and how the body burns or stores fat; think of it as a metabolic traffic cop that nudges cells to use energy more efficiently. Investors care because adiponectin levels are linked to diabetes, obesity and heart disease risks, so it is used as a biomarker and a drug-development target—findings about it can influence the market value of diagnostics, therapeutics and companies working on metabolic disorders.

pi3k medical

"and suppressed PI3K, NF-κB, Akt, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways"

PI3K is an enzyme inside cells that acts like a traffic signal for growth and survival signals, helping control how cells multiply and respond to their environment. It matters to investors because drugs that block or modify PI3K activity are a major class of therapies in development for cancers and other diseases; successes or failures in PI3K-targeting trials can significantly affect a biotech’s value and future revenue prospects.

nf-κb medical

"and suppressed PI3K, NF-κB, Akt, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways"

NF-κB is a protein complex inside cells that acts like a master switch for inflammation, immune responses and cell survival; when turned on it tells many genes to produce signals that promote immune activity, cell growth or protection from stress. Investors care because drugs or diagnostics that affect NF-κB can influence treatments for cancers, autoimmune disorders and inflammatory diseases, so changes in NF-κB activity can meaningfully alter a therapy’s potential market and risk profile.

wnt/β-catenin medical

"and suppressed PI3K, NF-κB, Akt, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways"

Wnt/β-catenin is a cellular communication system that tells cells when to grow, divide, or change identity; think of it as a traffic signal and messenger that turns specific growth programs on or off. It matters to investors because abnormal signaling is linked to cancers and other diseases, making the pathway a major target for new drugs, diagnostics, and therapies—so advances, trial results, or regulatory moves affecting this pathway can meaningfully alter a biotech company’s prospects.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Namodenoson’s Favorable Safety Profile and Broad Patent Portfolio Positions it as a Promising Candidate in the Growing Obesity Treatment Market

Ramat Gan, Israel, Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CANF), a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs addressing oncological and inflammatory diseases, today announced the publication of a peer-reviewed study in the International Journal of Obesity demonstrating the anti-obesity effect of namodenoson, the Company’s lead drug candidate.

The article, titled “The anti-obesity effect of namodenoson, an A3 adenosine receptor agonist,” is now available online as an Open Access publication (https://rdcu.be/e37sf).

The study evaluated the effects of namodenoson in adipocytes (3T3-L1 fat cells) in vitro and in a murine high-fat diet model of obesity. The findings are consistent with previously reported data from a Phase IIa clinical study in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), in which treatment with namodenoson for three months was associated with reductions in liver fat and body weight. A Phase IIb MASH study is currently enrolling patients and is designed to evaluate effects on inflammation, fibrosis, steatosis, and body weight.

Namodenoson has demonstrated a favorable safety profile across preclinical and clinical studies and is protected by a broad patent portfolio.

The publication reports that namodenoson significantly inhibited adipocyte proliferation and lipid droplet accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. In the high-fat diet model, daily oral administration of namodenoson for four weeks resulted in a statistically significant reduction in weight gain compared to placebo-treated controls.

Mechanistically, namodenoson was shown to modulate key molecular pathways involved in adipogenesis and inflammation. Treatment upregulated adiponectin, a hormone associated with improved metabolic regulation, and suppressed PI3K, NF-κB, Akt, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways, suggesting a multi-pathway metabolic mechanism.

Namodenoson is currently in advanced clinical development for MASH. The newly published findings expand its potential therapeutic profile into obesity — a rapidly growing global market with substantial unmet need.

Pnina Fishman, Ph.D., Chairperson and Chief Scientific Officer of Can-Fite, stated: “This publication provides the first evidence that namodenoson directly targets adipocyte biology and reduces weight gain in a high-fat diet model. Importantly, the effect is mediated through well-defined molecular pathways, including suppression of adipogenic transcription factors and induction of adiponectin. These findings support further evaluation of namodenoson as a potential oral treatment for obesity and related metabolic disorders.”

The global obesity treatment market is projected to reach $60.5 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 22%, driven by increasing disease prevalence and demand for safe, effective oral therapies.

About Namodenoson

Namodenoson is a small orally bioavailable drug that binds with high affinity and selectivity to the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR). Namodenoson is currently being evaluated in a pivotal Phase III trial for advanced liver cancer, a Phase IIb trial for the treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), and in a Phase IIa study in pancreatic cancer. A3AR is highly expressed in diseased cells whereas low expression is found in normal cells. This differential expression may be one of the important factors that accounts for the excellent safety profile of the drug.

About Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd.

Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CANF) is an advanced clinical stage drug development Company with a platform technology that is designed to address multi-billion dollar markets in the treatment of cancer, liver, and inflammatory disease. The Company's lead drug candidate, Piclidenoson recently reported topline results in a Phase III trial for psoriasis and is expected to commence a pivotal Phase III. Can-Fite's liver drug, Namodenoson, is being evaluated in a Phase III trial for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a Phase IIb trial for the treatment of MASH, and in a Phase IIa study in pancreatic cancer. Namodenoson has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and Europe and Fast Track Designation as a second line treatment for HCC by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Namodenoson has also shown proof of concept to potentially treat other cancers including colon, prostate, and melanoma. CF602, the Company's third drug candidate, has shown efficacy in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. These drugs have an excellent safety profile with experience in over 1,600 patients in clinical studies to date. For more information please visit: https://www.canfite.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, about Can-Fite’s expectations, beliefs or intentions regarding, among other things, its product development efforts, business, financial condition, results of operations, strategies or prospects. All statements in this communication, other than those relating to historical facts, are “forward looking statements”. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “should” or “anticipate” or their negatives or other variations of these words or other comparable words or by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. Forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results as of the date they are made. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Can-Fite’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include, among other things, our history of losses and needs for additional capital to fund our operations and our inability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms, or at all; uncertainties of cash flows and inability to meet working capital needs; the initiation, timing, progress and results of our preclinical studies, clinical trials and other product candidate development efforts; our ability to advance our product candidates into clinical trials or to successfully complete our preclinical studies or clinical trials; our receipt of regulatory approvals for our product candidates, and the timing of other regulatory filings and approvals; the clinical development, commercialization and market acceptance of our product candidates; our ability to establish and maintain strategic partnerships and other corporate collaborations; the implementation of our business model and strategic plans for our business and product candidates; the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering our product candidates and our ability to operate our business without infringing the intellectual property rights of others; competitive companies, technologies and our industry; risks related to any resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war between Israel and Hamas; risks related to not satisfying the continued listing requirements of NYSE American; and statements as to the impact of the political and security situation in Israel on our business. More information on these risks, uncertainties and other factors is included from time to time in the “Risk Factors” section of Can-Fite’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 14, 2025 and other public reports filed with the SEC and in its periodic filings with the TASE. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Can-Fite undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws.

Contact

Can-Fite BioPharma

Motti Farbstein

info@canfite.com 

+972-3-9241114

FAQ

What did Can-Fite (CANF) publish on Feb 17, 2026 about namodenoson and obesity?

The publication reports namodenoson inhibited adipocyte proliferation and reduced weight gain in a murine high-fat diet model. According to the company, results also showed dose-dependent lipid reduction and modulation of adiponectin and inflammation-related pathways.

How do the Feb 17, 2026 findings relate to Can-Fite's (CANF) Phase IIa MASH results?

The new preclinical findings are consistent with Phase IIa MASH signals of reduced liver fat and body weight. According to the company, both data sets suggest namodenoson affects adipocyte biology and metabolic pathways relevant to MASH and obesity.

Does the Feb 2026 study show namodenoson is effective for human obesity for CANF investors?

No—evidence is preclinical plus limited Phase IIa signals; human obesity efficacy is not established. According to the company, Phase IIb MASH is enrolling and further clinical evaluation is required to determine human obesity effects.

What safety and intellectual property points did Can-Fite (CANF) highlight on Feb 17, 2026?

Can-Fite reported namodenoson has a favorable safety profile across studies and is protected by a broad patent portfolio. According to the company, this supports further development into obesity and related metabolic disorders.

What near-term milestones should CANF investors watch after the Feb 17, 2026 publication?

Investors should watch results from the ongoing Phase IIb MASH study and any obesity-focused clinical plans. According to the company, Phase IIb enrollment is underway and will evaluate inflammation, fibrosis, steatosis, and body weight outcomes.