According to a story from Andre Eger, the drug developer Gilead recently had the misfortune to announce that its clinical trial testing an experimental drug for late stage nonalcoholic steatohepatitis has ended in failure. However, Gilead has no intention of giving up on treating the disease. Once considered rare, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is now believed to affect millions of Americans, but the vast majority have yet to be diagnosed.
About Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
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.
The Cart Before The Horse?
While Gilead’s latest effort may have ended in failure, there are a number of competitors who have late stage trials scheduled for this year as well. The market for treating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is estimated to top out at around $35 billion, making it a tempting target for the pharma industry. Some competitors in this disease field include Genfit, Allergan, and Intercept.
However, while many companies are rushing to develop a wonder drug for the disease, there are still major deficiencies in diagnosis and monitoring of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis that need to be addressed as well. Most patients do not have symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Some companies are looking at developing treatments that treat the disease early in its progression, but diagnostics need to be improved first.
One area that could be of use to players that want to treat the disease earlier would be looking at genetic factors. Microbiome activity, which could be a factor as a result of the dietary factors that can contribute to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, is another useful area of research.
Expect developments in treatment and diagnosis to come swiftly for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in 2019. Whether they will be successful or not has yet to be seen.
