Liver Diseases, Alcoholic

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Alfasigma S.p.A., today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed the Company that it is continuing its review of the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for full approval of OCALIVA® (obeticholic acid, OCA) for the treatment of indicated patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and its action under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), expected on October 15, 2024, has been delayed. The FDA did not provide a new anticipated action date. OCALIVA remains available for the treatment of appropriate PBC patients in the U.S. under accelerated approval status. Healthcare professionals who have questions about OCALIVA can contact Intercept Medical Information, and patients with questions should contact their healthcare providers. “We will continue to engage with the FDA regarding our pending application,” said Vivek Devaraj, U.S. President and Chairman at Intercept. “We are grateful for the continuous and ongoing support of the PBC community.” About Primary Biliary CholangitisPrimary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a rare, progressive, and chronic autoimmune disease that affects the bile ducts in the liver and is most prevalent (approximately 1 in 10,000) in women over the age of 40. PBC causes bile acid to build up in the liver, resulting in inflammation and scarring (fibrosis), which, if left untreated, can lead to cirrhosis, a liver transplant, or death. About InterceptIntercept is a biopharmaceutical company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Alfasigma S.p.A. focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics to treat rare and serious liver diseases, including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (sAH). Intercept owns the commercial rights to OCALIVA in the U.S. market. For more information, please visit www.interceptpharma.com or connect with the Company on LinkedIn, Threads and X (formerly Twitter). About Ocaliva® (obeticholic acid)OCALIVA, a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis who do not have evidence of portal hypertension, either in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) with an inadequate response to UDCA or as monotherapy in patients unable to tolerate UDCA. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on a reduction in alkaline phosphatase (ALP). An improvement in survival or disease-related symptoms has not been established. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: HEPATIC DECOMPENSATION AND FAILURE IN PRIMARY BILIARY CHOLANGITIS PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS Hepatic decompensation and failure, sometimes fatal or resulting in liver transplant, have been reported with OCALIVA treatment in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients with either compensated or decompensated cirrhosis. OCALIVA is contraindicated in PBC patients with decompensated cirrhosis, a prior decompensation event, or with compensated cirrhosis who have evidence of portal hypertension. Permanently discontinue OCALIVA in patients who develop laboratory or clinical evidence of hepatic decompensation; have compensated cirrhosis and develop evidence of portal hypertension, or experience clinically significant hepatic adverse reactions while on treatment. Contraindications OCALIVA is contraindicated in patients with: decompensated cirrhosis (e.g., Child-Pugh Class B or C) or a prior decompensation event compensated cirrhosis who have evidence of portal hypertension (e.g., ascites, gastroesophageal varices, persistent thrombocytopenia) complete biliary obstruction Warnings and Precautions Hepatic Decompensation and Failure in PBC Patients with Cirrhosis Hepatic decompensation and failure, sometimes fatal or resulting in liver transplant, have been reported with OCALIVA treatment in PBC patients with cirrhosis, either compensated or decompensated. Among post-marketing cases reporting it, median time to hepatic decompensation (e.g., new onset ascites) was 4 months for patients with compensated cirrhosis; median time to a new decompensation event (e.g., hepatic encephalopathy) was 2.5 months for patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Some of these cases occurred in patients with decompensated cirrhosis when they were treated with higher than the recommended dosage for that patient population; however, cases of hepatic decompensation and failure have continued to be reported in patients with decompensated cirrhosis even when they received the recommended dosage. Hepatotoxicity was observed in the OCALIVA clinical trials. A dose-response relationship was observed for the occurrence of hepatic adverse reactions including jaundice, worsening ascites, and primary biliary cholangitis flare with dosages of OCALIVA of 10 mg once daily to 50 mg once daily (up to 5-times the highest recommended dosage), as early as one month after starting treatment with OCALIVA in two 3-month, placebo-controlled clinical trials in patients with primarily early stage PBC. Routinely monitor patients for progression of PBC, including hepatic adverse reactions, with laboratory and clinical assessments to determine whether drug discontinuation is needed. Closely monitor patients with compensated cirrhosis, concomitant hepatic disease (e.g., autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease), and/or with severe intercurrent illness for new evidence of portal hypertension (e.g., ascites, gastroesophageal varices, persistent thrombocytopenia), or increases above the upper limit of normal in total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, or prothrombin time to determine whether drug discontinuation is needed. Permanently discontinue OCALIVA in patients who develop laboratory or clinical evidence of hepatic decompensation (e.g., ascites, jaundice, variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy), have compensated cirrhosis and develop evidence of portal hypertension (e.g., ascites, gastroesophageal varices, persistent thrombocytopenia), experience clinically significant hepatic adverse reactions, or develop complete biliary obstruction. If severe intercurrent illness occurs, interrupt treatment with OCALIVA and monitor the patient’s liver function. After resolution of the intercurrent illness, consider the potential risks and benefits of restarting OCALIVA treatment. Severe Pruritus Severe pruritus was reported in 23% of patients in the OCALIVA 10 mg arm, 19% of patients in the OCALIVA titration arm, and 7% of patients in the placebo arm in a 12-month double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial of 216 patients. Severe pruritus was defined as intense or widespread itching, interfering with activities of daily living, or causing severe sleep disturbance, or intolerable discomfort, and typically requiring medical interventions. Consider clinical evaluation of patients with new onset or worsening severe pruritus. Management strategies include the addition of bile acid binding resins or antihistamines, OCALIVA dosage reduction, and/or temporary interruption of OCALIVA dosing. Reduction in HDL-C Patients with PBC generally exhibit hyperlipidemia characterized by a significant elevation in total cholesterol primarily due to increased levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Dose-dependent reductions from baseline in mean HDL-C levels were observed at 2 weeks in OCALIVA-treated patients, 20% and 9% in the 10 mg and titration arms, respectively, compared to 2% in the placebo arm. Monitor patients for changes in serum lipid levels during treatment. For patients who do not respond to OCALIVA after 1 year at the highest recommended dosage that can be tolerated (maximum of 10 mg once daily), and who experience a reduction in HDL-C, weigh the potential risks against the benefits of continuing treatment. Adverse Reactions The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) are: pruritus, fatigue, abdominal pain and discomfort, rash, oropharyngeal pain, dizziness, constipation, arthralgia, thyroid function abnormality, and eczema. Drug Interactions Bile Acid Binding Resins Bile acid binding resins such as cholestyramine, colestipol, or colesevelam adsorb and reduce bile acid absorption and may reduce the absorption, systemic exposure, and efficacy of OCALIVA. If taking a bile acid binding resin, take OCALIVA at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after taking the bile acid binding resin, or at as great an interval as possible. Warfarin The International Normalized Ratio (INR) decreased following coadministration of warfarin and OCALIVA. Monitor INR and adjust the dose of warfarin, as needed, to maintain the target INR range when co-administering OCALIVA and warfarin. CYP1A2 Substrates with Narrow Therapeutic Index Obeticholic acid may increase the exposure to concomitant drugs that are CYP1A2 substrates. Therapeutic monitoring of CYP1A2 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., theophylline and tizanidine) is recommended when co-administered with OCALIVA. Inhibitors of Bile Salt Efflux Pump Avoid concomitant use of inhibitors of the bile salt efflux pump (BSEP) such as cyclosporine. Concomitant medications that inhibit canalicular membrane bile acid transporters such as the BSEP may exacerbate accumulation of conjugated bile salts including taurine conjugate of obeticholic acid in the liver and result in clinical symptoms. If concomitant use is deemed necessary, monitor serum transaminases and bilirubin. Please click here for Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-844-782-ICPT or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. ContactFor more information about Intercept, please contact:For media:media@interceptpharma.com

- Type B meeting with FDA held under Breakthrough Therapy designation resulted in agreement on key aspects of Phase 3 trial design - Single Phase 3 trial designed to enroll 200 U.S. patients with a 90-day survival primary endpoint; topline results expected within two years of trial initiation - Protocol for Phase 3 trial builds on data from the AHFIRM Phase 2b trial; 30 mg and 90 mg doses of larsucosterol reduced 90-day mortality in U.S. patients by 57% and 58%, respectively, compared with placebo CUPERTINO, Calif. , Sept. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DURECT Corporation (Nasdaq: DRRX), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of epigenetic therapies to transform the treatment of serious and life-threatening conditions such as acute organ injury, today provided details on the design of its upcoming registrational Phase 3 trial which will evaluate larsucosterol for the treatment of patients with severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH). "We are pleased with the collaborative interactions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including our recent Type B meeting held under Breakthrough Therapy designation, that allowed us to reach agreement on key elements of the protocol for the upcoming Phase 3 trial," said James E. Brown, D.V.M., President and Chief Executive Officer of DURECT. "We believe the primary endpoint of 90-day survival is clinically meaningful and provides the greatest probability of success based on the AHFIRM data. In the completed AHFIRM trial, larsucosterol showed the ability to reduce mortality in AH patients compared to standard of care, particularly in the U.S., where we observed nearly 60% lower mortality at 90-days in both the 30 mg and 90 mg dose groups. We look forward to initiating the Phase 3 trial as soon as possible, subject to obtaining sufficient funds, which should enable us to report topline data within two years of trial initiation. The FDA also agreed that a single Phase 3 trial would be sufficient to support a New Drug Application (NDA). Larsucosterol's Breakthrough Therapy designation for the treatment of AH gives us the opportunity to file an NDA as a rolling submission. As we continue to advance our development program for larsucosterol in AH, we look forward to additional discussions with the FDA under this designation." Norman Sussman, M.D., FAASLD, Chief Medical Officer of DURECT, added, "As cases of AH continue to rise, there is an urgent need for an effective therapy to significantly reduce the high mortality rate, which is approximately 30% at 90 days. Based on our Phase 2b AHFIRM data, we believe larsucosterol has the potential to save the lives of tens of thousands of patients yearly who currently have very limited options. We have ongoing discussions with a range of U.S. clinical sites and hepatologists, including those who participated in AHFIRM, to streamline the process of initiating our Phase 3 trial. We are pleased to have the opportunity to work again with a high quality network of sites and investigators who are enthusiastic about larsucosterol and eager to participate in the Phase 3 trial." The proposed Phase 3 trial design incorporates feedback from the Type B meeting held with the FDA under the Breakthrough Therapy designation. It is designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study conducted in the U.S., which will evaluate the safety and efficacy of larsucosterol for the treatment of patients with severe AH. The primary outcome measure will be a 90-day survival endpoint. The Phase 3 trial is planned to enroll approximately 200 patients randomized in a 1:1 ratio across two arms: 1) larsucosterol (30 mg) or 2) placebo, which will be added to the current standard of care, with or without methylprednisolone capsules at the investigators' discretion. Patients enrolled in the trial will be followed for a total of up to 180 days to collect additional safety and outcomes data. Data from the AHFIRM trial showed a compelling efficacy signal in favor of larsucosterol in the key secondary endpoint of mortality at 90 days. Both the 30 mg and 90 mg larsucosterol doses demonstrated clinically meaningful trends in reduction of mortality at 90 days with mortality reductions of 41% (p=0.068) in the 30 mg arm and 35% (p=0.124) in the 90 mg arm compared with placebo. The reductions in mortality at 90 days were more pronounced in U.S. patients, who comprised 76% of the trial population, with reductions of 57% (p=0.014) in the 30 mg arm and 58% (p=0.008) in the 90 mg arm compared with placebo. The numerical improvement in the primary endpoint of mortality or liver transplant at 90 days did not achieve statistical significance for either dose of larsucosterol. Reflecting the life-threatening nature of AH and the lack of therapeutic options, the FDA granted larsucosterol Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy designations for the treatment of AH. About Alcohol-associated Hepatitis (AH) AH is an acute form of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) associated with long-term heavy alcohol intake, often following a recent period of increased consumption (i.e., a binge). AH is typically characterized by severe inflammation and liver cell damage, potentially leading to life-threatening complications including liver failure, acute kidney injury and multi-organ failure. There are no FDA approved therapies for AH, and a retrospective analysis of 77 studies published between 1971 and 2016, which included data from 8,184 patients, showed the overall mortality from AH was 26% at 28 days, 29% at 90 days and 44% at 180 days. A subsequent global study published in December 2021, which included 85 tertiary centers in 11 countries across 3 continents, prospectively enrolled 2,581 AH patients with a median Model of End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of 23.5, reported mortality at 28 and 90 days of approximately 20% and 31%, respectively. Stopping alcohol consumption is necessary, but frequently not sufficient for recovery in many moderate (defined as MELD scores of 11-20) and severe (defined as MELD scores >20) patients, and therapies that reduce liver inflammation, such as corticosteroids, are limited by contraindications, have not been shown to improve survival at 90 days or one year, and have demonstrated an increased risk of infection. While liver transplantation is becoming more common for ALD patients, including AH patients, the total number of such transplants is still relatively small and limited by organ availability. Average costs for a liver transplant exceed $875,000, and patients require lifelong immunosuppressive therapy to prevent organ rejection. About the AHFIRM Trial AHFIRM was a Phase 2b randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, international, multi-center study conducted in subjects with severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) to evaluate the saFety and effIcacy of laRsucosterol treatMent (AHFIRM). The study was comprised of three arms and enrolled 307 patients, with approximately 100 patients in each arm: (1) Placebo, which consists of standard of care, with or without methylprednisolone capsules at the investigators' discretion; (2) larsucosterol (30 mg); and (3) larsucosterol (90 mg). Patients in the larsucosterol arms received the same supportive care without steroids. The primary outcome measure was the 90-day incidence of mortality or liver transplantation for patients treated with larsucosterol compared to those treated with placebo, and the key secondary endpoint was 90-Day survival. The Company enrolled patients at clinical trial sites across the U.S., EU, U.K., and Australia. In November 2023, the Company announced topline data for the AHFIRM Trial. Reflecting the life-threatening nature of AH and the lack of therapeutic options, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted larsucosterol Fast Track Designation and Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of AH. For more information, refer to ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04563026. About Larsucosterol Larsucosterol is an endogenous sulfated oxysterol and an epigenetic modulator. Epigenetic regulators are compounds that regulate patterns of gene expression without modifying the DNA sequence. DNA hypermethylation, an example of epigenetic dysregulation, results in transcriptomic reprogramming and cellular dysfunction, and has been reported in many acute (e.g., AH) and chronic diseases (e.g., metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)). As an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3a and 3b), larsucosterol inhibits DNA methylation, which subsequently modulates the expression of genes that are involved in cell signaling pathways associated with stress responses, cell death and survival, and lipid biosynthesis. This may ultimately lead to improved cell survival, reduced inflammation, and decreased lipotoxicity. As an epigenetic modulator, the proposed mechanism of action provides further scientific rationale for developing larsucosterol for the treatment of acute organ injury and certain chronic diseases. About DURECT Corporation DURECT is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of epigenetic therapies that target dysregulated DNA methylation to transform the treatment of serious and life-threatening conditions, including acute organ injury. Larsucosterol, DURECT's lead drug candidate, binds to and inhibits the activity of DNA methyltransferases, epigenetic enzymes that are elevated and associated with hypermethylation found in AH patients. Larsucosterol is in clinical development for the potential treatment of AH, for which the FDA has granted a Fast Track and a Breakthrough Therapy designation; MASH is also being explored. In addition, POSIMIR® (bupivacaine solution) for infiltration use, a non-opioid analgesic utilizing the innovative SABER® platform technology, is FDA-approved and is exclusively licensed to Innocoll Pharmaceuticals for sale and distribution in the United States. For more information about DURECT, please visit and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at . DURECT Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, relating to: our plans to initiate and enroll patients in a Phase 3 trial of larsucosterol in AH in 2024 and present top-line data in the second half of 2026, our ability to confirm the efficacy and safety of larsucosterol in AH patients to support an NDA filing with the FDA, the potential benefits of Breakthrough Therapy designation, and the potential uses of laruscosterol to treat patients with AH and potentially other indications. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those projected include, among other things, the risk that future clinical trials of larsucosterol are delayed or do not confirm the results from subset analyses of the AHFIRM trial, including geographic or other segmentation, or of earlier clinical or pre-clinical trials, or do not demonstrate the safety or efficacy of larsucosterol in a statistically significant manner; the risk that we do not raise sufficient capital to commence or complete the Phase 3 trial of larsucosterol in patients with AH or continue to fund our operations, the risk that the FDA or other government agencies may require additional clinical trials for larsucosterol before approving larsucosterol for the treatment of AH, the risk that Breakthrough Therapy designation does not expedite the process for FDA approval and that larsucosterol may never be approved; and risks related to the sufficiency of our cash resources, our anticipated capital requirements, our ability to continue to meet the minimum bid price for continued listing on Nasdaq, and our ability to continue to operate as a going concern. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in DURECT's most recent Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, under the heading "Risk Factors." These reports are available on our website under the "Investors" tab and on the SEC's website at . All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is based on information available to DURECT as of the date hereof, and DURECT assumes no obligation to update this information as a result of future events or developments, except as required by law. NOTE: POSIMIR® is a trademark of Innocoll Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. in the U.S. and a trademark of DURECT Corporation outside of the U.S. SABER® is a trademark of DURECT Corporation. Other referenced trademarks belong to their respective owners. Larsucosterol is an investigational drug candidate under development and has not been approved for commercialization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other health authorities for any indication. SOURCE DURECT Corporation WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

Award supports the development of a cell-based assay platform to help scientists discover and test drug candidates for liver fibrosis BROOKLYN, N.Y., Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Xylyx Bio, Inc., a regenerative medicine company developing pioneering solutions for tissue and organ modeling and repair, announced today that it has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance commercial development of its InMatrico® disease modeling and drug testing platform to help scientists discover and test drug candidates for liver fibrosis. Fibrosis is a prevalent disease process underlying multiple chronic liver diseases, including alcohol-associated liver disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). MASLD affects 100 million people in the U.S. and can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and the need for liver transplantation. Approved drugs have shown limited efficacy in treating liver fibrosis, underscoring the inadequacy of current liver fibrosis models and the necessity of better drug testing assays. Xylyx Bio's InMatrico® liver fibrosis cell-based assay platform aims to address the lack of predictive in-vitro drug testing assays and accelerate the development of improved treatment options for millions of patients with fibrotic liver disease. The award will provide $2,453,331 to support development of an assay platform that integrates patient-derived fibrotic liver extracellular matrix, hepatic stellate cells, Kupffer cells, and hepatocytes to accelerate anti-fibrotic drug development. Dr. Evelyn Aranda, Director of Applications at Xylyx Bio, stated: "Cell-based assays performed 'in matrico' – in the physiologically-relevant, tissue-specific extracellular matrix – improve predictiveness, reduce dependence on animal models, and de-risk pre-clinical decision-making. Our goal is to help reduce the massive costs associated with late-stage drug attrition due to poor efficacy and facilitate the development of effective drugs for millions worldwide with fibrotic liver disease." This grant is supported by the National Institutes of Health under Award Number 1R44DK139877. The content of this press release is solely the responsibility of the author and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH. About Xylyx Bio: Xylyx Bio is a regenerative medicine company developing groundbreaking solutions for tissue and organ modeling and repair. The company's InMatrico® Kits & Assays are available for physiologically-relevant disease modeling and drug testing. Contact Xylyx Bio, Inc. [email protected] SOURCE Xylyx Bio, Inc. WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED