Core Viewpoint - Sagimet Biosciences Inc. is advancing its clinical-stage biopharmaceutical development, particularly focusing on denifanstat for treating metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH), with promising results from recent clinical trials and plans for further studies [2][5]. Clinical Development - The Phase 2b FASCINATE-2 trial of denifanstat in MASH patients showed successful results, especially in F3 stage patients [2]. - Denifanstat demonstrated similar pharmacokinetic characteristics and tolerability in a Phase 1 trial for patients with and without hepatic impairment [2]. - A Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the combination of denifanstat and resmetirom is anticipated to start in the second half of 2025, with results expected in the first half of 2026 [3][12]. Preclinical Data - Preclinical data presented at EASL 2024 indicated that the combination of a FASN inhibitor (TVB-3664) and resmetirom significantly improved liver disease markers, achieving an 80% improvement in NAS compared to 33% and 25% improvements from monotherapies [3][6]. Financial Results - For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, Sagimet reported a net loss of $18.2 million, compared to a net loss of $6.6 million for the same period in 2024 [8][16]. - Research and development expenses increased to $15.3 million from $5.3 million year-over-year, while general and administrative expenses rose to $4.5 million from $3.5 million [12][16]. - As of March 31, 2025, the company had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling $144.6 million [12][17]. Corporate Updates - The company successfully completed end-of-Phase 2 interactions with the FDA in October 2024, paving the way for Phase 3 trials in MASH [5]. - Leadership changes include George Kemble transitioning to non-executive Chair of the Board and the appointment of Beth Seidenberg as Lead Independent Director [5]. Industry Context - MASH is a severe liver disease affecting over 115 million people globally, with limited treatment options available [10]. - The renaming of NAFLD to MASLD and NASH to MASH aims to reduce stigma and improve diagnosis [10].

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akero Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKRO), a clinical-stage company developing transformational treatments for patients with serious metabolic diseases marked by high unmet medical need, today announced two oral presentations and an upcoming poster presentation at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress 2025 taking place May 7-10, 2025, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Details for the presentations are as follows: Oral p ...