NASH Space In Focus As Galmed (GLMD) Posts Positive Data
Zacks Investment Research | Jun 13, 2018 09:23PM ET
The NASH or the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis space is back in focus as Israel-based Galmed Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:GLMD) reported positive data on its candidate, Aramchol. The candidate demonstrated statistically significant reduction in liver fat at 52 weeks. A larger number of patients treated with Aramchol 600mg showed NASH resolution without worsening of fibrosis in the 52-week biopsy. This encouraging data boosted investor sentiment, leading to the stock’s significant surge.
Of late, the NASH space has been under the spotlight given its market potential. The market for NASH is poised to witness rapid growth unlike other lucrative yet saturated markets like cancer.
What is NASH?
A chronic liver disease, NASH is caused by excessive fat accumulation in the liver, known as steatosis. Per records, it has affected up to 15 million people in the United Stated and could cause inflammation, hepatocellular injury, progressive fibrosis and cirrhosis. The ailment is anticipated to be the leading reason behind liver transplantation by 2020. Currently, NASH induces the biggest basis for liver transplants in people under 50 in the United States. Such patients also suffer obesity and type II diabetes.
With no treatments currently approved to address this disease, the market opportunity is substantially huge and many companies are investing a major chunk of their R&D spend in the same.
Let us consider the companies with potential candidates presently being evaluated for the treatment of NASH.
5 Stocks With Promising NASH Candidates in Their Pipeline
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:MDGL) : Shares of Madrigal Pharmaceuticals soared last month after the company reported positive top-line, 36-week results from a phase II trial on patients with biopsy-proven NASH. The program evaluated the lead pipeline candidate, MGL-3196, a first-in-class, oral, once-daily, liver-directed, thyroid hormone receptor (THR) β-selective agonist. Data from the study showed that MGL-3196 achieved higher reduction in NAFLD activity score (NAS) and greater NASH resolution in patients with 30% or more liver fat reduction achievement at week 12. The candidate had met the primary endpoint of 30% or more reduction in liver fat at week 12 last December. The company will advance the candidate to a phase III study following a regulatory agreement on its design.
Madrigal’s stock has skyrocketed 303.3% in the last six months, outperforming the Zacks Investment Research
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