Gilead’s FXR Agonist Posts Questionable Results In NASH, But Offers Hope In PSC

Gilead Sciences Inc. unveiled Phase II data for its farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist GS-9674 in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that raise doubts for its promise in that indication compared to other candidates from the same class, but Gilead’s drug fared better in a primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) trial, showing improvements in liver biochemistry and markers of cholestasis.

A competing NASH candidate, Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s obeticholic acid (OCA), showed the ability to reduce both fibrosis and steatosis in the Phase II FLINT trial, although increased lipid levels...