{"id":26085,"date":"2015-01-06T15:09:43","date_gmt":"2015-01-06T20:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sciencebusiness.technewslit.com\/?p=26085"},"modified":"2016-06-11T12:39:12","modified_gmt":"2016-06-11T16:39:12","slug":"gilead-acquires-biotech-liver-disease-therapies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/technewslit.com\/sciencebusiness\/?p=26085","title":{"rendered":"Gilead Acquires Biotech Liver Disease Therapies"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Liver\"<\/a>
(National Library of Medicine, NIH)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6 January 2015. Biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences<\/a> bought an experimental drug to treat non-alcoholic liver diseases from Phenex Pharmaceuticals AG, a German biotechnology firm. Gilead, in Foster City, California, is expected to pay Phenex up to $470 million for the drug.<\/p>\n

Under the deal, Gilead acquires Phenex’s work developing a drug that binds to and activates the Farnesoid X receptor<\/a>, a protein for converting DNA into chemical signals to cells in the body, in this case cells in the liver regulating metabolism of lipids — fats and oils — and insulin sensitivity. Phenex developed the drug, code-named Px-104<\/a>, as a treatment for two related disorders, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Both conditions are the result of fat build-up in the liver, and believed to be associated with rising obesity rates in developed countries.<\/p>\n

Accumulation of fat in the liver is not considered a normal condition, but it is becoming less uncommon. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates<\/a> 10 to 20 percent of Americans have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, defined as excess fat in the liver, but with few observable symptoms, and no inflammation or scarring. When combined with obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, or metabolic syndrome<\/a> the condition can result in inflammation in the liver, or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, that affects the liver’s ability to function properly. While nonalcoholic steatohepatitis affects a much smaller percentage of Americans (2 to 5%), if left untreated it can lead to cirrhosis, or scarring in the liver, and eventually liver cancer or failure.<\/p>\n

Phenex, based in Ludwigshafen, Germany, says Px-104 acts by lowering lipids in the liver as well as improving sensitivity to insulin. The company says its research with lab animals shows Px-104 helps reduce liver inflammation and fibrosis or scarring. In addition, early-stage clinical trials with healthy volunteers show an earlier form of the drug (Px-102) is safe and well-tolerated. An intermediate-stage clinical trial<\/a> with patients having nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is recruiting participants.<\/p>\n

Under the deal, Gilead gains control of Phenex’s development program for Px-104, although Phenex is expected to collaborate with Phenex in further development of the drug. Gilead plans to pay Phenex $470 million in initial and staged payments keyed to developmental milestones, although the initial payment amount was not disclosed.<\/p>\n

In December 2012, Phenex and Janssen Biotech<\/a> — a division of Johnson & Johnson — agreed to collaborate on discovering drugs treating chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, based on a similar technology developed by Phenex. That deal makes Phenex eligible for up to $135 million in milestone payments, as well as royalties on subsequent product sales.<\/p>\n

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