Can-Fite BioPharma

Category: Monitoring

Israeli clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing adenosine receptor-based therapies for cancer and inflammatory diseases

Listing: NYSE HQ: Israel Website Updated: 6 Jan 2026

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Decision-Maker Directory

Key individuals with influence over corporate partnerships and procurement decisions. Direct your correspondence to the most relevant role.

Motti Farbstein
Chief Executive Officer & Chief Financial Officer
CEO since 2024, CFO since 2005. Oversees corporate finance, fundraising, and investor relations
Public contact: [email protected]
Dr. Pnina Fishman
Executive Chairman & Chief Scientific Officer
Scientific founder, formerly Professor of Life Sciences at Felsenstein Medical Research Institute
Public contact: Via corporate website
Sari Fishman
Vice President of Business Development
Responsible for commercial partnerships and licensing agreements
Public contact: Via corporate website

Material Risk Framing

Frame your message around business risks. These talking points resonate with corporate stakeholders and institutional investors.

Legal & Compliance

Pre-commercial biotech with no marketed products; minimal direct regulatory exposure beyond clinical trial compliance

Financial & Investor

Significant financial distress with history of dilutive offerings and reverse stock splits; Altman Z-Score indicates bankruptcy risk

Reputational & Brand

Low public visibility as clinical-stage company; B2B focus limits consumer pressure effectiveness

Operational & Supply Chain

No commercial products currently; clinical trials represent primary operational exposure

Strategic Analysis

In-depth assessment of the company's position, vulnerabilities, and recommended approaches for effective engagement.

CHALLENGING PRIORITY TARGET MONITORING TARGET Strategic Vulnerability → Severity → Severity: 4.5, Vulnerability: 3.0

Lower severity, lower vulnerability — watch list, gather intel

Learn about our methodology — companies are categorised based on severity (harm potential) vs strategic vulnerability (campaign leverage).

Why do these scores change?

Unlike static boycott lists, our targeting model is dynamic. This company's position on the matrix is re-evaluated continually as we verify new contracts, divestments, or policy changes. Your reporting directly impacts this score.

Can-Fite BioPharma is a clinical-stage Israeli biopharmaceutical company representing a lower-priority boycott target within the pharmaceutical sector. Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Petah Tikva, Israel, the company has no commercially marketed products and limited economic footprint compared to established pharmaceutical companies like Teva. The company's primary strategic relevance lies in its Israeli headquarters, dual stock exchange listing, and contribution to Israel's biotech ecosystem.

Key Leverage Points

  • Financial Vulnerability: Severe financial distress with 1-for-3,000 reverse stock split, negative Altman Z-Score, and ongoing capital requirements create investor pressure points
  • Pre-Commercial Status: No marketed products means no consumer boycott opportunity; focus on institutional investor engagement
  • Dual Listing: NYSE American and TASE listings enable engagement with both US and Israeli institutional investors on ESG grounds
  • Small Employee Base: Approximately 9 employees limits direct economic impact but concentrates decision-making

Evidence Summary

Can-Fite's financial history demonstrates significant challenges typical of clinical-stage biotech. The company has raised $175 million cumulatively for drug development but continues to operate at substantial losses (operating margin of approximately -1,595%). The December 2025 announcement of a 1-for-3,000 reverse stock split - among the most severe in biotech history - reflects extensive shareholder dilution. The company's Altman Z-Score places it in the distress zone, indicating bankruptcy risk. Lead drug candidates piclidenoson and namodenoson are in Phase 3 trials for psoriasis and liver cancer respectively, with FDA Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations for namodenoson.

Engagement Strategy

Given Can-Fite's pre-commercial status and limited economic impact, this company should be monitored rather than actively targeted. Institutional investors considering biotech investments should be informed of the company's Israeli headquarters and contribution to Israel's economy as part of ESG due diligence. The company's financial vulnerability may make it responsive to investor concerns. Focus resources on higher-impact pharmaceutical targets like Teva, which has substantial commercial operations and market presence. Can-Fite's potential commercialisation of drug candidates (expected post-2026) would warrant reassessment of priority status.

Evidence & Sources

Verified sources including NGO reports, regulatory filings, and primary documents. Use these to substantiate your correspondence.

Corporate Statement
2025-12-23
Can-Fite Announces 1-for-3,000 Reverse Stock Split

Company announced significant reverse stock split effective January 2026, reducing authorised shares from 42 billion to 14 million, indicating severe dilution history

Open source
Corporate Statement
2025-08-28
Can-Fite Reports H1 2025 Financial Results and Clinical Update

Financial results confirming clinical-stage status with ongoing losses and capital requirements

Open source
Corporate Statement
2025-05-01
Can-Fite Has Raised $175 Million in Total Funding to Date

Confirms cumulative fundraising for Namodenoson and Piclidenoson development, advancing into Phase 3 trials

Open source
Official Doc
2025-03-24
Can-Fite Initiates Pivotal Phase 3 Psoriasis Study

FDA and EMA-approved protocol for piclidenoson Phase 3 trial in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis

Open source
Filing
2024-01-01
NYSE American Listing - CANF

Dual-listed on NYSE American and Tel Aviv Stock Exchange; American Depositary Shares represent ordinary shares

Open source

Updates & Milestones

  1. 1-for-3,000 Reverse Split

    Board approved significant reverse stock split reflecting severe historical dilution; effective January 2026

  2. Phase 3 Trials Initiated

    Advanced Piclidenoson (psoriasis) and Namodenoson (liver cancer) into pivotal Phase 3 studies

  3. FDA Orphan Drug Designation

    Namodenoson receives Orphan Drug Designation for hepatocellular carcinoma in US and Europe

  4. NYSE Listing

    Listed on NYSE American (formerly AMEX) as ADRs, enabling US investor access

  5. Name Change

    Renamed to Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. to reflect biopharmaceutical focus

  6. Company Founded

    Established as Can-Fite Technologies Ltd. in Israel, developing adenosine receptor platform technology

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