According to a story from globenewswire.com, the drug developers Pfizer and Novartis have recently announced the beginning of a collaborative effort to test new potential therapies for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This will involve a study that will test tropifexor, an experimental drug in development by Novartis, with potentially several compounds that have been developed by Pfizer.
About Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a type of liver disease in which fat is deposited in the liver independent of excessive alcohol consumption. This disease can progress rapidly. Risk factors include metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. There also appears to be some genetic component to the disease as well. This condition also increases the risk of other health problems and liver cancer. Men also seem to be at greater risk, getting the disease as almost twice the rate that women do. Symptoms of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis include jaundice, malaise, fatigue, and abdominal pain or discomfort. Without treatment, the liver can become scarred and the patient may need a liver transplant. However, the condition can also be managed with proper diet, the use of certain medications, and exercise. To learn more about nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, click here.
Why Combinations?
While there are some treatments and management strategies that can help patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, there is still a clear need for more effective treatment options. There are a number of factors that contribute to the development of this disease and this means that it is challenging for a single medication to effectively treat it. Hopefully, this collaboration will discover an effective treatment cocktail that can improve outcomes for patients with this disease.
About Tropifexor
Tropifexor is in development as an orally available therapy that is designed to address a number of the symptoms and effects of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis such as scarring, inflammation, and the accumulation of fat in the liver. This therapy has received Fast Track designation for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with fibrosis (scarring). Studies with animal models suggest that tropifexor could be an effective therapy with a good safety profile.
There are currently no FDA approved treatments for this disease. This partnership between Novartis and Pfizer could change that forever.
