Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Altimmune Announces Initiation of Phase 2b IMPACT Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Pemvidutide in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
University of Oxford, Obesity, NASH, Diabetes, Principal investigator, Weight loss, CT1, Fibrosis, IMPACT, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Fatty liver disease, ALT, NAFLD, Human, Diabetes management, Safety, Glycated hemoglobin, Hepatitis, Pharmaceutical industry, Dietary supplement

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced that it has enrolled the first subject in the Phase 2b IMPACT trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of pemvidutide in subjects with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Key Points: 
  • GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced that it has enrolled the first subject in the Phase 2b IMPACT trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of pemvidutide in subjects with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
  • Pemvidutide is a novel, investigational GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist under development for the treatment of obesity and NASH.
  • Subjects on 1.8 mg pemvidutide also achieved a mean weight loss of 6.2%, with continuing weight loss at the end of treatment.
  • “Initiation of the IMPACT Phase 2b trial represents an important milestone in the development of pemvidutide for NASH,” said Scott Harris, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Altimmune.

Renaming obesity won't fix weight stigma overnight. Here's what we really need to do

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, July 30, 2023
People, Pregnancy, Obesity, Education, Classification, Facial muscles, Public, Workplace, Homosexuality, International Workshop on Lung Health, Nonsense, Weight gain, Terminology, Name, Stigma, Social stigma of obesity, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Adipose tissue, BMI, Health, Environment, Human, Lizzo, Body size and species richness, Disease, Pig, Consumer electronics, Convenience food, Dietary supplement, Life insurance, Medical imaging, Soft drink, Meat, Vaccine

Some researchers think the term “obesity” itself is part of the problem, and are calling for a name change to reduce stigma.

Key Points: 
  • Some researchers think the term “obesity” itself is part of the problem, and are calling for a name change to reduce stigma.
  • We study the stigma that surrounds obesity – around the time of pregnancy, among health professionals and health students, and in public health more widely.
  • Here’s what’s really needed to reduce weight stigma.

Weight stigma is common

    • Up to 42% of adults living in larger bodies experience weight stigma.
    • Weight stigma is associated with harms including increased cortisol levels (the main stress hormone in the body), negative body image, increased weight gain, and poor mental health.
    • Weight stigma may even pose a greater threat to someone’s health than increasing body size.

Should we rename obesity?

    • Calls to remove or rename health conditions or identifications to reduce stigma are not new.
    • Following many years of protests and activism, the term and condition were removed from the globally recognised classification of mental health disorders.
    • Perhaps it is finally time to follow suit and rename obesity.

A new name needs to go beyond BMI

    • First, most people use the term for people with a body-mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m² or above.
    • Most, if not all, public health organisations also use BMI to categorise obesity and make assumptions about health.
    • However, BMI alone is not enough to accurately summarise someone’s health.

Is obesity a disease anyway?

    • Yet there is still no universal consensus on whether obesity is a disease.
    • By this definition, obesity may not be classified as a disease until after harm from the additional weight occurs.
    • Renaming obesity may improve public understanding that while obesity is often associated with an increase in BMI, the increased BMI itself is not the disease.

Workshopping alternatives


    Before deciding to rename obesity, we need discussions between obesity and stigma experts, health-care professionals, members of the public, and crucially, people living with obesity. Such discussions can ensure robust evidence informs any future decisions, and proposed new terms are not also stigmatising.

    Read more:
    Today's disease names are less catchy, but also less likely to cause stigma

What else can we do?

    • Our constant exposure to the socially-defined and acceptable idealisation of smaller bodies (the “thin ideal”) and the pervasiveness of weight stigma means this stigma is deeply ingrained at a societal level.
    • Blake Lawrence is a member of The Obesity Society and The Obesity Collective.

Inventiva Reports Preliminary 2023 First-Half Financial Information¹ and Business update

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Acceleration, XXVIII, University, NASH, Diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, LEGEND, Fibrosis, Congress, Euronext Paris, Data monitoring committee, Investigational New Drug, Patient, Financial result, Microwave spectroscopy, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Fatty liver disease, NAFLD, Adipose tissue, Phase, Scan (company), IND, T2D, Conference, NMPA, Pharmaceutical industry, Cryptocurrency, Medical imaging

Net cash used in operating activities amounted to (€45.2) million in the first half of 2023, compared to (€26.2) million for the same period in 2022.

Key Points: 
  • Net cash used in operating activities amounted to (€45.2) million in the first half of 2023, compared to (€26.2) million for the same period in 2022.
  • R&D expenses for the first half of 2023 were up 81 % compared to the first half of 2022.
  • This increase is in line with the clinical development activities planned in 2023.
  • Net cash used in investing activities for the first half of 2023 amounted to (€7.7) million, compared to (€0.3) million in the first half of 2022.

A Call for Help from Physician Specialists on the Frontline Treating MASLD/MASH

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Exercise, Glycated hemoglobin, Semaglutide, Liver disease, Liver, Partnership, Obesity, Diet, Prevalence, NASH, Diabetes, Physician, Weight loss, MASH, NIH, Type 2 diabetes, Gastroenterology, Eli Lilly, CDC, Hypertension, Metabolism, Hyperlipidemia, Fibrosis, Journal, Hepatology, Patient, Metabolic syndrome, Journal of Hepatology, Novo Nordisk, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Overweight, Growth, NAFLD, WHO, BMI, FDA, Therapy, Phenotype, Cirrhosis, World Health Organization, Disease, Dietary supplement, Pharmaceutical industry, Nursing

Worldwide, the rise of obesity has seen similar growth, with the World Health Organization (WHO) citing a tripling of prevalence since 1975.

Key Points: 
  • Worldwide, the rise of obesity has seen similar growth, with the World Health Organization (WHO) citing a tripling of prevalence since 1975.
  • Shockingly, the WHO data shows most of the world’s population live in countries where excess weight and obesity kill more people than underweight conditions.
  • Newly published data from Spherix reveals over two-thirds of MASLD patients struggle with comorbid obesity (Spherix Market DynamixTM – NAFLD/NASH).
  • This will leave specialists the capacity to focus on later stage MASH where rehabilitating fibrotic liver damage is most critical.

Rapid weight loss may improve advanced fatty liver disease – new research

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 3, 2023
Blood pressure, Male, Mineral, Obesity, Diet, Liver disease, Weight loss, Constipation, Scar, Research, Inflammation, Hypertension, Patient, Risk, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Fatty liver disease, Liver, Bariatric surgery, Cirrhosis, Health, Death, Human, Female, Hepatitis, Dietary supplement, Dentistry, Birth control, Medical imaging, Pharmaceutical industry

Around 2% of adults worldwide suffer from a condition called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (Nash), an advanced form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Key Points: 
  • Around 2% of adults worldwide suffer from a condition called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (Nash), an advanced form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
  • Since excess fat in the liver is what causes the inflammation and scarring that is characteristic of the condition, the current mainstay treatment for patients is weight loss.
  • These scans estimated how advanced their liver inflammation and scarring was and the amount of fat in their liver.
  • It will also be interesting to see whether this programme could be useful for patients suffering with more advanced forms of liver disease – such as liver cirrhosis.

NASHNET Presents Innovative White Paper on Utilizing Biomarkers to Diagnose and Stage NAFLD/NASH

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, International, NASH, Biomarker, Congress, Patient, Fatty liver disease, NAFLD, Disease, Medical imaging

NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NASHNET , a Kinetix Group network of excellence dedicated to advancing care pathways for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), announced the release of an innovative white paper.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NASHNET , a Kinetix Group network of excellence dedicated to advancing care pathways for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), announced the release of an innovative white paper.
  • The paper is titled Biomarkers for Diagnosing and Staging Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Current Perspectives and Potential Future Applications.
  • "This white paper represents a significant milestone in the journey to advance provider and patient awareness of evidence-based approaches to accurately diagnose NAFLD and NASH with non-invasive diagnostics.
  • Key highlights from the paper include:
    The white paper was made possible with financial support from Novo Nordisk, Inc.
    To read the full white paper and learn more about NASHNET's commitment to advancing NAFLD/NASH care delivery, please visit here .

American Diabetes Association Highlights Novel Agent Retatrutide which Results in Substantial Weight Reduction in People with Obesity or Type 2 Diabetes During Late Breaking Symposium

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 26, 2023
Yale School of Medicine, Type 2 diabetes, The New England Journal of Medicine, Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy, Doctor of Philosophy, Fatty liver disease, Associate, Patient, Treatment, American Diabetes Association, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, GIP, NAFLD, ADA, T2D, Safety, Human, GCG, Disease, Pharmaceutical industry, Obesity, MD, Medicine

SAN DIEGO, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, findings from two phase 2 clinical trials showcase new data for an investigational, once-weekly injectable glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/ glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)/glucagon (GCG) receptor agonist, retatrutide. One study was conducted in people with obesity and included a substudy in patients who also had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the second study included patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). These studies were presented during the symposium entitled "Retatrutide (LY3437943), a Novel GIP/GLP-1/Glucagon Receptor Triagonist—Obesity, NAFLD, and T2D Phase 2 Trial Results," a late-breaking symposium at the 83rd Scientific Sessions held by the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) in San Diego, CA. Results of the two phase 2 trials were simultaneously published in major medical journals. Results of the NAFLD substudy will be published at a later date.

Key Points: 
  • These studies were presented during the symposium entitled "Retatrutide (LY3437943), a Novel GIP/GLP-1/Glucagon Receptor Triagonist—Obesity, NAFLD, and T2D Phase 2 Trial Results," a late-breaking symposium at the 83rd Scientific Sessions held by the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) in San Diego, CA.
  • Results of the two phase 2 trials were simultaneously published in major medical journals.
  • Retatrutide is an investigational molecule suitable for once-weekly injection with the potential to treat obesity and T2D.
  • "We need to treat obesity as we would any other chronic, treatable, disease with therapies that target underlying disease mechanisms.

American Diabetes Association Releases a Guideline Update in NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) and Diabetes

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Liver disease, Medicine, Endocrinology, Section 4, NASH, Diabetes, PPC, Public, Cardiovascular disease, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Liver cancer, Pharmacist, MD, Physician, Risk, Practitioner, American Diabetes Association, Conditional sentence, Fatty liver disease, Webcast, NAFLD, Death, ADA, Cirrhosis, Epidemiology, Mental health, Disease, Abridgement, Dietary supplement

ARLINGTON, Va.,  June 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) published updates in the Standards of Care in Diabetes—2023 (Standards of Care) based on the latest scientific research and clinical trials.

Key Points: 
  • New guidelines include recommendations for the detection and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in people with diabetes.
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which includes nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is the most common form of liver disease in people with diabetes.
  • NAFLD can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death.
  • This update emphasizes the importance of early detection of NAFLD in people with diabetes as well as appropriate management modalities.

Ocean Biomedical (NASDAQ: OCEA) Extends Patent Rights for Breakthrough Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Discovery To Europe

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 23, 2023
Molecule, Ocean Biomedical, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, NASH, Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome, RI, Guidelines for Examination in the European Patent Office, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Alcoholic liver disease, Pulmonary fibrosis, Fibrosis, EPA, HPS, MD, European Patent Convention, Syndrome, IPF, Pharmaceutical industry, Patent, Scleroderma

Providence, RI, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCEA) announced today that Scientific Co-founder Dr. Jack A. Elias, MD received notice from the European Patent Office of its intention to grant European patent rights for Methods and Compositions relating to the treatment of fibrosis using Ocean’s anti-Chitinase 1 small molecule candidate (“Small Molecule X”), a new target discovered by Dr. Elias that appears to be a major factor in controlling—and inhibiting—fibrosis progression.

Key Points: 
  • Patent notice extends global coverage for breakthrough discovery, with potential for treating Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and other fibrotic diseases, including Scleroderma, Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS), and Alcoholic Liver Disease.
  • Providence, RI, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCEA ) announced today that Scientific Co-founder Dr. Jack A. Elias, MD received notice from the European Patent Office of its intention to grant European patent rights for Methods and Compositions relating to the treatment of fibrosis using Ocean’s anti-Chitinase 1 small molecule candidate (“Small Molecule X”), a new target discovered by Dr. Elias that appears to be a major factor in controlling—and inhibiting—fibrosis progression.
  • Ocean’s approach has shown an 85%–90% reduction in collagen accumulation in four “gold standard” IPF and HPS pulmonary fibrosis animal models.
  • This treatment approach is anticipated to be well-tolerated based on data from original (non-Ocean) clinical studies and recent EPA data.

Sagimet Biosciences Presents Positive Phase 2b FASCINATE-2 Clinical Trial Interim Data for Denifanstat for the Treatment of NASH at EASL Congress 2023

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 23, 2023
F3, EASL, University, Therapy, NASH, F2, FGF21, Biomarker, Inflammation, AASLD, University of California, San Diego, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Congress, Fibrosis, Patient, Hepatology, SAN, LDL, FASN, Fatty liver disease, NAFLD, European Association for the Study of the Liver, Pharmaceutical industry, Liver

SAN MATEO, Calif., June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Sagimet Biosciences Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics targeting dysfunctional metabolic pathways, today announced an oral presentation of data from the planned interim analysis of a prespecified subset of patients at week 26 of the Phase 2b FASCINATE-2 clinical trial of denifanstat, an investigational fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitor, in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients with moderate to advanced fibrosis, stages F2 or F3, as confirmed by liver biopsy. These results were presented at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress being held in Vienna from June 21-24, 2023, and were previously presented at The Liver Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) in November 2022.

Key Points: 
  • We are excited by the observed improvement across biomarkers, including a statistically significant 12.4 mg/dL reduction in LDL cholesterol and an increase in endogenous FGF21 by 73.1%.
  • FGF21 is a hormone that regulates important metabolic pathways, in particular insulin sensitivity, and has been known to decrease hepatocyte injury while suppressing inflammation and fibrosis.
  • At week 26, denifanstat-treated patients had an observable change in circulating blood lipid composition with a decrease in the di-/triglycerides that are unregulated in NASH and an increase in cardioprotective polyunsaturated di-/triglycerides.
  • These denifanstat-driven improvements are consistent with the Phase 2a FASCINATE-1 findings.”