Novel Lipogenesis Inhibitor Combo Effective Against MASH

TOPLINE:

The combination of ervogastat plus clesacostat was more effective at resolving metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) without worsening fibrosis in patients with biopsy-confirmed MASH and stage II or III fibrosis than placebo and ervogastat alone; however, the combination was associated with a potentially unfavorable lipid profile that may make it less suitable for patients at increased risk for cardiovascular events.

METHODOLOGY:

Reducing liver fat can help manage MASH; two novel inhibitors of de novo lipogenesis — ervogastat, a diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) inhibitor, and clesacostat, an acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) inhibitor — have demonstrated effects in lowering liver fat in early clinical trials.

Researchers conducted a phase 2 clinic