Akero Therapeutics, Inc.’s successful Phase IIb data with efruxifermin (EFX) in pre-cirrhotic non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients provided good news for the company, but also more generally for the NASH space, which has been mostly dominated by trial failures and regulatory setbacks during the past two years. In addition, EFX’s ability to reduce fibrosis and resolve NASH in the Phase IIb HARMONY trial also was considered reason for optimism for Akero’s direct competitor, 89bio, Inc.
Akero’s Phase II Success Could Augur Brighter Days For NASH R&D
With Akero’s FGF21 analog showing ability to reduce fibrosis and resolve non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, some analysts think classmate BIO89-100 could yield a better overall profile. NASH data are starting to pour in.
More from Strategy
• By
The US FDA approved anti-CD19 antibody Uplizna, from Amgen’s $27.8bn purchase of Horizon in 2023, for IgG4-related disease – a larger market than its original NMOSD indication.
• By
BeiGene’s Phase III ociperlimab joins the list of failed TIGIT inhibitors, as candidates from Roche, Merck & Co. and others have failed late-stage studies.
• By
The German firm’s chairman, Hubertus von Baumbach, is adopting a ‘wait-and-see’ approach to the threat of pharma tariffs.
• By
Trump announced a 26% reciprocal tariff on India but a country-agnostic exemption of pharmaceuticals implies that the interests of Indian firms and the US consumer are protected for now. What is Indian pharma’s business exposure and what is domestic industry saying?
More from Business
• By
The German firm’s chairman, Hubertus von Baumbach, is adopting a ‘wait-and-see’ approach to the threat of pharma tariffs.
• By
Trump announced a 26% reciprocal tariff on India but a country-agnostic exemption of pharmaceuticals implies that the interests of Indian firms and the US consumer are protected for now. What is Indian pharma’s business exposure and what is domestic industry saying?
• By
Industry lobbied for pharmaceuticals to be exempt from Trump’s sweeping US tariffs and the effort appears to have paid off. J&J, Lilly and Merck & Co. even got shout outs.