This is a Phase 3, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the safety and efficacy of efruxifermin (EFX) in subjects with non-cirrhotic nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)/metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and fibrosis stage 2 or 3 (F2 or F3).
Approximately 1,650 subjects will be enrolled into 2 cohorts.
Cohort 1 will enroll approximately 750 subjects with biopsy-confirmed NASH/MASH and fibrosis stage F2 or F3. Subjects in Cohort 1 will undergo evaluation of histologic efficacy endpoints at Week 52.
Cohort 2 will enroll approximately 900 subjects with biopsy-confirmed fibrosis stage F3. Subjects in Cohort 2 may enroll regardless of NAFLD Activity Score (NAS). Subjects in Cohort 2 will undergo liver biopsy assessment at Week 96.
Eligible subjects will be randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive:
- EFX 28 mg administered subcutaneously once weekly
- EFX 50 mg administered subcutaneously once weekly
- Placebo administered subcutaneously once weekly
Subjects will participate in:
- a screening period of up to 12 weeks,
- a 52-week primary histology endpoint treatment period (Cohort 1),
- a 96-week secondary histology endpoint period (Cohort 2),
- long-term treatment and clinical outcomes follow-up for up to approximately -240 weeks total treatment duration, and
- a follow-up visit approximately 30 days after the last dose of study drug.
The study will evaluate the effects of EFX compared with placebo on histologic improvement in NASH/MASH, fibrosis regression, noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis, biochemistry markers of lipidic and glycemic metabolism, liver-related clinical outcomes, and long-term safety.
Clinical outcomes assessments include evaluation of liver-related events and all-cause mortality. Key secondary and long-term outcome assessments include evaluation of fibrosis progression, liver stiffness by FibroScan, and Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) score at prespecified time points including Weeks 96 and 240.
Subjects who discontinue study drug may continue study assessments according to the protocol schedule to support long-term efficacy and safety evaluations.