89bio’s pegozafermin met co-primary endpoints of fibrosis reduction and NASH resolution in Phase IIb; the company said its methodology yielded lower placebo responses than in Akero’s Phase IIb study.

While plans to obtain accelerated approval of lanifibranor remain unchanged, Inventiva now plans to conduct the confirmatory Phase III in cirrhotic patients, meaning a shorter trial duration and possibly broader label.

While neither company reported new data from their ongoing trials at AASLD, the firm’s competing THRβ agonists are viewed as leading lights in the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis competition.

Axcella’s AXA1125, a therapeutic combination of amino acids, shows liver stiffness, liver enzyme and fat reduction benefits in Phase IIb interim look, but the firm lacks the cash to complete the trial.