On Thursday, US health authorities approved the first treatment for the severe form of human fatty liver disease, which affects millions of people in the United States.
According to the foundation, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is expected to become the leading cause of liver transplants in the United States by 2025.
About 6 to 8 million Americans are likely to be affected by this new treatment, a number that is expected to continue to increase, according to FDA estimates.
FDA official Nikolai Nikolov said in a statement that these patients “until now, have not had a medication that can directly affect damage to the liver.”
The treatment is taken orally once daily, in addition to following a proper diet and exercising.
The license was based on a clinical trial conducted on about 900 people, and after 12 months it showed a benefit for those who received the treatment, compared to others who received a placebo.
The most common side effects were diarrhea and nausea.
Bill Siebold, director of Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, responded in a statement that this license “culminates 15 years of research,” adding, “It is a historic moment” in this field.
The company said that the treatment will be available to patients in the United States starting in April through specialized pharmacies.
2024-03-15 09:56:36
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