Akero Shows More Strong Fibrosis Data, But Analysts Cite Safety Worry

Akero is developing weekly injectable efruxifermin for MASH with solid 96-week efficacy data and three Phase III studies underway. But will it find a treatment niche in a competitive space?

Female person holding red human liver model at white body
Akero's 96-week data shows sustained, expanded benefit in MASH

With three Phase III studies underway for efruxifermin in metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), Akero Therapeutics, Inc. used the recent European Association for the Study of Liver Disease annual meeting to showcase Phase II data bolstering the FGF21 analog’s therapeutic profile. But at least one analyst suggested that despite strong fibrosis-reduction data, the drug may be limited to sicker patients due to safety and tolerability issues.

The South San Francisco-based firm presented more 96-week data on 8 June from the Phase IIb HARMONY study of efruxifermin...

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