Akero(US:AKRO)2022-06-10 17:01Efficacy of EFX in NASH Treatment - EFX demonstrated substantial reductions in liver fat, with 100% of patients achieving at least a 30% relative reduction in liver fat across multiple dose groups (28mg, 50mg, 70mg) compared to 10% in the placebo group[34] - High rates of fibrosis improvement were observed, with 62% of EFX-treated patients showing at least a 1-stage improvement in fibrosis and no worsening of NASH[38] - Significant improvements in fibrosis biomarkers were noted, including a reduction in Pro-C3 levels by -6.1 µg/L, -5.9 µg/L, and -6.7 µg/L in the 28mg, 50mg, and 70mg EFX groups, respectively, compared to a -1.5 µg/L change in the placebo group[54] - High response rates on NASH resolution were achieved, with 58% of patients in the 50mg EFX group achieving NASH resolution compared to 20% in the placebo group[148] - Clinically meaningful improvements in glycemic control were observed, with patients experiencing a reduction in HbA1c levels[71] Safety and Tolerability - The most frequent drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were diarrhea (36%), nausea (34%), and increased appetite (22%) across all EFX dose groups[82] - In the F4 cohort, diarrhea was observed in 41% of patients treated with EFX 50mg, and nausea was observed in 29% of patients treated with EFX 50mg[142] Financial Position and Development Strategy - The company had approximately $165 million in cash on hand as of Q1 2022, providing a cash runway into Q3 2023[5] - Akero Therapeutics is building momentum toward Phase 3 pivotal trials, with two parallel Phase 2b trials underway: HARMONY (F2-F3) and SYMMETRY (F4, compensated)[5] - HARMONY trial results are expected in Q3 2022[5]