In addition, a second compound, NP-135 was identified as an additional lead. Both NP-135 and NP-160 are one of a number of already approved compounds that Nash has been screening for new therapeutic uses as part of its drug repurposing strategy
Data from this study demonstrated statistically significant improvements in several key measures relevant to the development and progression of NASH including:
Cenicriviroc (40 mg/kg, QID) both a positive control and comparator arm in the study showed a 1.5 point drop in the NAFLD/NAS score vs controls (p<0.01) and 54.1% (p<0.0001) reduction in fibrosis area compared to controls as measured by Sirius Red staining
NP-160 (40 mg/kg, QID) showed a 1.25 point drop in the NAFLD/NAS score vs controls (p<0.05) and a 59.9% reduction (p<0.0001) in fibrosis area.
NP-135 (200 mg/kg, QID) showed a 1.1 point drop in the NAFLD/NAS score vs controls (p>0.05) and a 84.4% reduction (p<0.0001) in fibrosis area.
As previously reported, both NP-160 and NP-135 at the same doses recently showed significant anti-fibrotic activity in a unilateral urinary obstruction (UUO) model of chronic kidney disease (CKD), reducing fibrosis by 57.6% (p <0.000001) and 52.1% (p<0.000001) respectively. Cenicriviroc reduced fibrosis in the same study by only 31.9% (p=0.00032).
“We have now had several studies from multiple independent laboratories, confirming that these two compounds are remarkably active in pre-clinical models of NASH and in CKD, both of which involve fibrosis. We were also very pleased to see the performance of our compounds against the comparator data of Cenicriviroc, a known anti-fibrotic compound in the same two studies,” said Christopher J. Moreau, CEO of NASH Pharmaceuticals.
“It is also important to note that Cenicriviroc, itself a re-positioned HIV drug from Takeda, was acquired by Allergan from Tobira in 2016 for a total potential consideration of up to $1.695 billion We are looking forward to advancing these compounds into Phase II clinical trials as quickly as possible to establish human efficacy.”
According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, “Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2025,” the global NASH market was valued at $1.17 Billion in 2017, and is expected to reach $21.4 Billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 58.4% from 2021 to 2025. Currently, there are no US FDA approved treatments for NAFLD or NASH.
Source: Company Press Release