Published on 14 Mar 2024 on Zacks via Yahoo Finance

Ionis (IONS) Drug Meets Mid-Stage MASH Study Goals

Ionis Pharmaceuticals IONS announced positive results from a phase II study on its investigational drug ION224 in adult patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) over 51 weeks.

Study participants who received 90mg and 120mg doses of ION224 achieved the primary endpoint of statistically significant liver histologic improvement. This was measured by at least a two-point reduction in the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score, or NAS. A subgroup analysis indicated that significant improvements in the primary endpoint were observed in patients with F2 and F3 (advanced) fibrosis.

The study also achieved a key secondary endpoint of statistically significant MASH resolution without worsening of fibrosis, as measured by biopsy. The drug was well tolerated by study participants.