Gilead Sciences and Novo Nordisk to collaborate on combination therapy for NASH.

Gilead Sciences, Inc.and Novo Nordisk A/S announced that the companies intend to collaborate on a clinical trial combining compounds from their respective pipelines in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The intended clinical trial will be a proof of concept study combining Novo Nordisk�s semaglutide (GLP-1 analogue) and Gilead�s cilofexor (FXR agonist) and firsocostat (ACC inhibitor) for the treatment of patients with NASH. The companies are also exploring the potential to collaborate on preclinical research to advance understanding of the disease.

NASH is a chronic and progressive liver disease characterized by fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver, which can lead to scarring or fibrosis, that impairs liver function. If left untreated, individuals living with NASH may face serious consequences, including end-stage liver disease, liver cancer and the need for liver transplantation, and are at a significantly higher risk of liver-related mortality.