Akero Therapeutics Stock Doubles on Liver Disease Drug Trial Results

Core Insights - Akero Therapeutics' shares doubled following positive results from a study on its experimental liver disease treatment, efruxifermin (EFX) [1][6] Study Results - A 96-week Phase 2b study showed that 39% of patients with cirrhosis due to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) experienced reversal of cirrhosis after receiving a 50mg dosage of EFX, compared to only 15% in the placebo group [2] - A subgroup of patients not on GLP-1 weight-loss medications showed even better outcomes, suggesting these medications did not contribute to the improvement [3] Expert Commentary - Dr. Mazen Nourredin, the principal investigator, highlighted the lack of effective treatments for compensated cirrhosis due to MASH until now, expressing optimism about EFX's potential if approved [4] - CEO Dr. Andrew Cheng emphasized EFX's "transformational potential" and mentioned ongoing evaluation in a Phase 3 trial [4] Market Reaction - Following the announcement, Akero Therapeutics' shares approached their all-time high set over two years ago [5]