CANF Stock Soars 20% on Positive Mid-Stage Pancreatic Cancer Data

Thursday, Mar 5, 2026 10:25 am ET2min read
CANF--
Aime RobotAime Summary

- Can-FiteCANF-- BioPharma's CANF shares surged 20.4% after positive mid-stage pancreatic cancer trial results for namodenoson showed strong safety and anti-tumor activity.

- The phase IIa study in 20 advanced PDAC patients met safety endpoints with no new concerns, supporting further clinical evaluation.

- Namodenoson holds FDA Orphan Drug designation for pancreatic cancer and is also tested in liver cancer and metabolic diseases.

- Can-Fite's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) contrasts with higher-ranked biotech861042-- peers like USANAUSNA-- and Catalyst Pharmaceuticals.

Can-Fite BioPharma CANF shares soared 20.4% on Wednesday after the company reported positive top-line results from a mid-stage study of its investigational candidate, namodenoson, in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who had progressed following prior systemic therapies.

Can-Fite’s namodenoson is a highly selective A3AR agonist, which has previously demonstrated a strong safety profile and anti-tumor activity in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer.

More on CANF’s Mid-stage Pancreatic Cancer Study Results

Can-Fite’s phase IIa study of namodenoson enrolled 20 patients with advanced PDAC who had received at least one prior line of therapy, representing a high-risk group with varying performance status and advanced metastatic disease.

Per the data readout, the mid-stage study met its primary safety endpoint, with namodenoson demonstrating strong tolerability in a heavily pretreated population of PDAC patients. No new safety concerns were reported during the study, and the observed safety profile remained consistent with prior clinical findings for the drug candidate across other oncology indications.

In the past six months, Can-FiteCANF-- shares have plunged 54% compared with the industry’s 9% decline.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Beyond safety, the study also evaluated key secondary endpoints, including overall survival and progression-free survival. Survival monitoring is ongoing, and at the time of the data cut-off, roughly one-third of the enrolled patients were still alive. Continued follow-up is expected to provide a clearer picture of long-term survival outcomes.

As additional data matures, the company plans to share updated survival findings at upcoming scientific conferences. The encouraging safety profile in this difficult-to-treat patient group supports further clinical evaluation of namodenoson in pancreatic cancer. The candidate enjoys the FDA’s Orphan Drug designation in the United States for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Apart from PDAC, Can-Fite is also simultaneously evaluating namodenoson in a late-stage study for advanced liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) and in a mid-stage study for metabolic-associated steatohepatitis.

Can-Fite’s clinical pipeline also comprises its lead candidate, piclidenoson, which is currently being evaluated in a pivotal late-stage study for the treatment of psoriasis.

CANF’s Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider

Can-Fite currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are USANA Health Sciences USNA, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals CPRX and ALX Oncology Holdings ALXO. While USNA and CPRX sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each, ALXO carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Over the past 60 days, estimates for USANA Health Sciences’ 2026 earnings per share (EPS) have risen from $1.90 to $2.00. USNA shares have lost 37.5% over the past six months.

USANA Health Sciences’ earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and matched once, with the average surprise being 21.92%.

Over the past 60 days, estimates for Catalyst Pharmaceuticals’ 2026 EPS have risen from $2.54 to $2.82. CPRX shares have soared 22.9% over the past six months.

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals’ earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 35.19%.

Over the past 60 days, estimates for ALX Oncology Holdings’ 2026 loss per share have narrowed from $1.21 to 88 cents. ALXO shares have rallied 97.3% over the past six months.

ALX Oncology Holdings’ earnings missed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average negative surprise being 12.82%.

Quantum Computing Stocks Set To Soar

Artificial intelligence has already reshaped the investment landscape, and its convergence with quantum computing could lead to the most significant wealth-building opportunities of our time.

Today, you have a chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this technological revolution. In our urgent special report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power, you'll discover the little-known stocks we believe will win the quantum computing race and deliver massive gains to early investors.

Access the Report Free Now >>

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report



Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CPRX): Free Stock Analysis Report

Can-Fite Biopharma Ltd (CANF): Free Stock Analysis Report

USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (USNA): Free Stock Analysis Report

ALX Oncology Holdings Inc. (ALXO): Free Stock Analysis Report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

Zacks is the leading investment research firm focusing on equities earnings estimates and stock analysis for the individual investor, including stock picks, stock screening, portfolio stock tracker and stock screeners. Copyright 2006-2026 Zacks Equity Research, Inc. editor@zacks.com (Manaing editor) webmaster@zacks.com (Webmaster)

Latest Articles

Stay ahead of the market.

Get curated U.S. market news, insights and key dates delivered to your inbox.

Comments



Add a public comment...
No comments

No comments yet