Aligos Therapeutics: ALG-055009 reduces liver fatty deposits in patients with metabolic-dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH)

1. ALG-055009, a thyroid hormone receptor agonist, significantly reduced liver fat in patients with MASH after 12 weeks of treatment.
2. ALG-055009 was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events

The Latest

The HERALD study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2a clinical trial conducted by Aligos Therapeutics. The trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of ALG-055009 over the course of 12 weeks in 102 patients with MASH. Subjects were randomized to receive either 0.3 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.7 mg or 0.9 mg of ALG-055009 or placebo. Results showed that doses of 0.5 mg to 0.9 mg had statistically significant reductions in liver fat at week 12. Additionally, as much as 70% of participants achieved greater than 30% relative reduction in liver fat compared to baseline. ALG-05509 was well tolerated with no serious adverse events. Patients receiving ALG-055009 had similar incidence of gastrointestinal disturbances compared to placebo.

Physicians Perspective

Poor diet and lack of exercise can lead to fatty deposits in the liver leading to a condition known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). MASLD is estimated to occur in approximately 30% of the worldwide population. MASLD can progress to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) when the body undergoes an inflammatory response to the fatty deposits. The prevalence of MASH in the United States is projected to increase from 16.5 million in 2015 to 27 million in 2030. MASH has a high risk of progressing into liver cirrhosis (extensive scarring and dysfunction of the liver) and even cancer. Treatment is largely focused on optimizing risk factors by lifestyle changes and strict management of diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. Through its potent mechanism of action, ALG-055009 demonstrates the ability to significantly reduce fatty accumulation in the liver, and potentially reduce progression to severe liver scarring.

Molecular Targets

ALG-055009 is a thyroid hormone receptor-beta (THR-β) agonist. THR-β is the main form of the thyroid hormone receptor expressed in the liver and plays an important role in the metabolism of lipids. THR-β agonists act on these receptors in the liver leading to increased cholesterol and fat metabolism, reducing overall fatty deposition in the liver, and preventing further fibrosis.

Company History

Aligos Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical headquartered in San Francisco that focuses on best-in class therapies for liver and viral diseases. Their mission is to improve patient outcomes by applying new research and development to develop novel therapeutics for MASH and viruses with high unmet medical needs such as hepatitis B and coronaviruses.

Further Reading: https://investor.aligos.com/news-releases/news-release-details/aligos-therapeutics-announces-positive-topline-results-phase-2a

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