Poxel’s Phase II Data Add AMP Kinase Activation To NASH Possibilities

Poxel SA established itself as a potential impact player in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis on 1 October with Phase IIa data showing its first-in-class AMP kinase activator can significantly reduce liver fat mass in NASH patients, with greater efficacy seen in patients also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The drug, PXL770, also demonstrated statistically significant reductions in liver enzymes and hemoglobin A1c levels in the 120-patient study.

Based in Lyon, France, Poxel is focused on novel therapies for metabolic disease. Beyond a pair of mid-stage NASH candidates, it also has imeglimin, a blocker of oxidative phosphorylation, in Phase III for type 2 diabetes. Roivant Sciences Ltd. holds US and EU rights to the diabetes candidate under a 2018 deal, while Poxel and Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.are co-developing the drug for the Japanese market and unveiled positive Phase III data on 24 September