For our look back at NASH-TAG 2023, Jörn Schattenberg and Roger Green are joined by Amy Articolo and Naim Alkhouri for a discussion which dives into the therapeutic efficacy of recently announced data on resmetirom, NITs, bariatric surgery and more. Adjoining this session is a bonus interview with Donna Cryer on her impressions and key takeaways which largely look into the movement of regulatory science. In combination, this two-part episode encompasses contrasting and thought-provoking perspectives on addressing the opportunities and challenges in moving the Fatty Liver field forward.
Naim opens the first conversation by noting the positivity emitted, echoing Scott Friedman’s position that momentum from Madrigal’s emerging data on resmetirom animated the wider program. In addition, he highlights that granularity around Intercept’s study of patient response to obeticholic acid (OCA) revealed improvements among the F3 population. For Naim, OCA is a drug he has envisioned to be applied toward advanced disease and serves undermet needs of F3 patients. He concludes that in the wake of these aforementioned results, there remains plenty of opportunity to improve and other biotechs “are still in the game” with the energy to back them.
At this point, Jörn underscores the strong presence of academia and involvement of various consortia as further evidence of progress. Amy joins to comment on the vibrant and dynamic discussions around NITs and how to enrich trials. She suggests that the dialogue has reflected the advancements of the field and how work can be enhanced with collective contribution. This leads to thoughts on pharmacodynamic change and demonstrating value to payers. Roger distills a main idea: if only 24% of patients show a one-level regression of fibrosis in a given period of time, there is much to learn about the other 76%. Conversation continues around narrowing the indeterminate zone and improving biomarker concordance in NITs. After exploring considerations in moving beyond biopsy, the group investigates the role of bariatric surgery. While recognizing the validity of bariatric surgery as a treatment option, Naim points to a brighter future of preventative hepatology whereby action precedes BMI levels of 50 and higher. At the end of the session, Roger asks each panelist for one unexpected thing that might happen in the next year.
In the following interview, Donna opens with a powerful statement: hope is not a strategy, and optimism is not inevitability. Specifically, she is determined to match the trajectory of regulatory science to that of the momentous energies emerging from clinical science. In doing so, relationships and open lines of communication are key for meeting agreed endpoints. Next, the two talk about addressing the indeterminate zone in a different context and opportunities for harnessing real-world evidence. As this conversation moves forward, it becomes clear that Donna is committed to connecting patients to care today, and not only after a drug approval. In closing, she fields the same question as the preceding panelists, but offers a very different answer. Surf on to find out.
