Zydus Cadila, a research-driven, global healthcare provider, announced that USFDA has approved the company’s plan to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial of Saroglitazar in patients with Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) of the liver. This randomized, double-blind Phase 2 trial will evaluate Saroglitazar 1 mg, 2mg and 4 mg Vs. Placebo.
NASH is a liver disease in which fat accumulates in the liver. Obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes and lipid disorders lead to NAFLD which progresses to a lethal NASH situation. The diagnosis of NASH is most commonly carried out using liver biopsy and this condition can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure.
Speaking on the development, Mr. Pankaj Patel, Chairman and Managing Director of Zydus Cadila said, “NASH is an area of unmet healthcare need as there are currently no drugs approved for the treatment of NASH. Saroglitazar has significant and differentiated effect on hepatic steatosis, while it shows all other beneficial effects on reducing inflammation and fibrosis in the liver in NASH models. With a Phase III trial in biopsy proven NASH patients ongoing in India and a Phase II trial in NASH patients planned in USA, we are committed towards developing this drug for millions of patients suffering from NASH”.
Dr. Naga Chalasani, MD, FACG, David W. Crabb Professor & Director, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine will be the Principal investigator on this planned trial. This trial will be conducted across several medical sites in the USA., which will measure several parameters including the reduction in liver enzymes (serum ALT levels), liver stiffness (FibroScan®), liver fat content via MRI-PDFF, cytokeratin-18 (CK-18), enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), lipids, insulin resistance as well as glycemic control.
Zydus had earlier initiated a 52 week Phase III clinical trial of Lipaglyn™ in India to treat patients with biopsy proven NASH. Saroglitazar has demonstrated good efficacy in animal models of NASH, along with associated biomarkers. It has reduced hepatic steatosis, ballooning, inflammation and fibrosis in liver. The recently concluded phase 2 studies of Saroglitazar in patients with biopsy proven NASH has shown improvement in liver enzymes along with favorable effects on lipid and glycemic indices.
