Allergan has entered into a clinical trial agreement with Novartis to conduct a Phase 2b study, using Allergan's cenicriviroc (CVC) and Novartis' lead FXR agonist for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The Phase 2b study will assess the safety, efficacy and tolerability of this multi-therapy treatment approach for NASH. The financial details of this transaction are not disclosed.
"Our clinical collaboration with Novartis brings together our collective scientific and development expertise in NASH to focus on multi-therapy treatment, which is expected to be the most likely approach based on the multi-factorial aspects of this disease," said David Nicholson, Chief Research & Development Officer, Allergan.
NASH is the progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver with no other apparent causes. NASH occurs when the accumulation of liver fat is accompanied by inflammation and cellular damage. There are currently no approved treatments for NASH.