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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

Namodenoson in the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

A Phase 2B Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Namodenoson in the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

Namodenoson in the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) (NCT04697810) is a Phase 2 interventional studying NASH - Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis, sponsored by Can-Fite BioPharma. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

Subjects with biopsy-proven NASH will be randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to oral doses of namodenoson 25 mg every 12 hours or matching placebo every 12 hours for 36 weeks. Subjects will be evaluated regularly for safety, and efficacy biomarkers will be measured at Baseline and Weeks 6, 12, 24, and 36. At Week 36, all subjects will undergo liver biopsy.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against NASH - Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

Target enrollment of 114 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused NASH - Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: 1. At least 18 years of age. 2. AST at Screening of ≥20 IU/L. 3. FibroScan LSM ≥8.5 kPa 4. Diagnosis of NASH by biopsy at Screening showing NAS ≥4 by central read, with a score of at least 1 point in each of the 3 histologic categories of steatosis, inflammation, and hepatocellular ballooning (Kleiner 2005). If the subject has had a qualifying liver biopsy within 6 months prior to Baseline and the slides are available for central read prior to randomization, this biopsy can be waived. 5. Concomitant biopsy-proven Stage 1-3 hepatic fibrosis by NASH CRN criteria by central read (Kleiner 2005). 6. At least 2 of the following criteria for the metabolic syndrome: - Obesity, defined waist circumference \>88 cm for women or \>102 cm for men - Hypertriglyceridemia, defined as \>150 mg/dL (\>1.7 mmol/L) or on drug treatment for hypertriglyceridemia - Reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, defined as \<40 mg/dL (\<1.03 mmol/L) in men or \<50 mg/dL (\<1.3 mmol/L) in women - History of hypertension, currently controlled in the judgment of the Investigator - Elevated fasting glucose, defined as ≥100 mg/dL (≥5.6 mmol/L). 7. Acceptable hepatic metabolic and synthetic function, as indicated at Screening by: - Serum albumin ≥3.5 gm/dL - International normalized ratio ≤1.3 - Serum total bilirubin ≤2.0 mg/dL (unless subject has known Gilbert's Syndrome). 8. The following laboratory values must be documented at Screening: - Absolute neutrophil count at least 1.0 x 109/L - Platelet count at least 150 x 109/L - Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥50 mL/min/1.73m2 9. Female subjects may be enrolled if they are not of childbearing potential, permanently sterile or are post-menopausal, defined as no menses for at least 1 year without an alternative medical cause and FSH levels in the post-menopausal range. ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: 1. At least 18 years of age. 2. AST at Screening of ≥20 IU/L. 3. FibroScan LSM ≥8.5 kPa 4. Diagnosis of NASH by biopsy at Screening showing NAS ≥4 by central read, with a score of at least 1 point in each of the 3 histologic categories of steatosis, inflammation, and hepatocellular ballooning (Kleiner 2005). If the subject has had a qualifying liver biopsy within 6 months prior to Baseline and the slides are available for central read prior to randomization, this biopsy can be waived. 5. Concomitant biopsy-proven Stage 1-3 hepatic fibrosis by NASH CRN criteria by central read (Kleiner 2005). 6. At least 2 of the following criteria for the metabolic syndrome: * Obesity, defined waist circumference \>88 cm for women or \>102 cm for men * Hypertriglyceridemia, defined as \>150 mg/dL (\>1.7 mmol/L) or on drug treatment for hypertriglyceridemia * Reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, defined as \<40 mg/dL (\<1.03 mmol/L) in men or \<50 mg/dL (\<1.3 mmol/L) in women * History of hypertension, currently controlled in the judgment of the Investigator * Elevated fasting glucose, defined as ≥100 mg/dL (≥5.6 mmol/L). 7. Acceptable hepatic metabolic and synthetic function, as indicated at Screening by: * Serum albumin ≥3.5 gm/dL * International normalized ratio ≤1.3 * Serum total bilirubin ≤2.0 mg/dL (unless subject has known Gilbert's Syndrome). 8. The following laboratory values must be documented at Screening: * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1.0 x 109/L * Platelet count at least 150 x 109/L * Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥50 mL/min/1.73m2 9. Female subjects may be enrolled if they are not of childbearing potential, permanently sterile or are post-menopausal, defined as no menses for at least 1 year without an alternative medical cause and FSH levels in the post-menopausal range. 10. Male subjects must refrain from sperm donation during treatment and until at least 90 days after the end of study drug dosing. Male subjects with fertile or pregnant partners must agree to use condoms throughout the course of the trial and for 3 months after. 11. Patients taking herbal supplements, homeopathic medications, or other alternative treatments, must be on a stable regimen for at least 3 months prior to randomization. 12. Understand and provide written informed consent to participate. 13. Willing to undergo 2 liver biopsies. 14. Willing to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plans, laboratory assessments, and other study-related procedures. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or other clinical evidence of cirrhosis. 2. Other active acute or chronic liver disease, such as autoimmune hepatitis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease, or hepatocellular carcinoma. 3. Seropositivity for markers of viral hepatitis or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at Screening. 4. Weight loss of \>5% within 3 months prior to Baseline. 5. History of bariatric surgery within 5 years of Screening. 6. Diabetes mellitus other than Type II. 7. Hemoglobin A1c \>9.0% (subjects with diabetes). 8. Any contraindication to percutaneous liver biopsy. 9. Daily alcohol intake \>20 g (2 units)/day for women and 30 g (3 units)/day for men (on average), as per Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire. 10. Treatment with therapeutic doses of Vitamin E (≥800-1000 IU daily), or any of the following anti-diabetic medications: GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as Januvia \[sitagliptin\], Byetta \[incretin\], etc.), pioglitazone, or SGLT2 inhibitors ("gliflozin" drugs); unless the dose and regimen has been stable for at least 3 months. 11. Active rheumatoid arthritis treated with small-molecule (including methotrexate) or biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic agent concurrently or within 1 year. 12. Use of any immunosuppressive medication, anti-inflammatory monoclonal antibody treatment, or chronic systemic corticosteroids \>10 mg prednisone-equivalent concurrently or within 1 year. 13. More than 7 days of treatment with valproic acid, tamoxifen, amiodarone, or anti-cholinergic agents within 3 months. 14. Uncontrolled or clinically unstable thyroid disease. 15. Uncontrolled arterial hypertension or congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association Classification 3 or 4), or other heart disease which is, in the Investigator's judgment, clinically unstable. 16. Angina, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, coronary/peripheral artery bypass graft surgery, transient ischemic attack, or pulmonary embolism within 3 months. 17. QTcF interval on Screening Visit ECG or an average of triplicate Baseline Visit ECGs \> 450 milliseconds (msec) for males or \> 470 msec for females. 18. A condition which increases proarrhythmic risk, including hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, or congenital Long QT Syndrome. 19. Ongoing or planned use of a concomitant medication that is on the CredibleMedsTM list of drugs known to cause Torsades des Pointes. 20. Active gastrointestinal disease which could interfere with the absorption of oral medication. 21. Any severe, acute, or chronic medical or psychiatric condition, or laboratory abnormality that would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Namodenoson

25 mg q12hours x 36 weeks

DRUG

Placebo

Matching capsules q12hours x 36 weeks

Locations (20)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

941 Univ of Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska
Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
942 Health Inst General Hospital, Dept of Internal Medicine
Prijedor, Bosnia and Herzegovina
934 Second Dept of Internal Disease, MHAT Sveta Karidad EAD
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
932 Office of Gastroenterology, Medical Center Sansi EOOD
Rousse, Bulgaria
931 Clinic of Gastroenterology, Acibadem City Clinic Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment Tokuda EAD, Sofia
Sofia, Bulgaria
933 Clinic of Gastroenterology, University Multiprofile Hosptial for Active Treatment
Sofia, Bulgaria
935 Dept of Gastroent., Univ Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment and Emergency Medicine
Sofia, Bulgaria
936 Office of Gastroenterology, Diagnostic - Consultative Center XX
Sofia, Bulgaria
937 Office of Gastroenterology, Diagnostic - Consultative Center Alexandrovska
Sofia, Bulgaria
938 Clinic of Gastroenterology, University Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment "Sv. Ivan Rilski"
Sofia, Bulgaria
517 Saroka University Medical Center
Beersheba, Israel
Hadassah Medical Center
Jerusalem, Israel
911 IMSP Spitalul Clinic Republican "Timofei Mosneaga"
Chisinau, Moldova
912 SP Spitalul Ministerului Sanatatii, Muncii si Protectiei Sociale
Chisinau, Moldova
903 Central Pentru Studiul Metabolismului
Bucharest, Romania
904 SUUMC Carol Davilla, Department Diabet
Bucharest, Romania
906 Spitalul Sfanta Maria
Bucharest, Romania
902 Cluj County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 3rd Dept of Internal Medicine
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
901 Medical Center Dr. Ianosi
Craiova, Romania
905 County Hospital Timisoara
Timișoara, Romania

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT04697810), the sponsor (Can-Fite BioPharma), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT04697810 clinical trial studying?

Subjects with biopsy-proven NASH will be randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to oral doses of namodenoson 25 mg every 12 hours or matching placebo every 12 hours for 36 weeks. Subjects will be evaluated regularly for safety, and efficacy biomarkers will be measured at Baseline and Weeks 6, 12, 24, and 36. At Week 36, all subjects will undergo liver biopsy. The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT04697810?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT04697810?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT04697810. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT04697810. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.