FXR

继今年3月，全球首款MASH新药——Resmetirom获FDA批准用于治疗伴有肝纤维化的成人MASH患者，填补了MASH药物的空白状态后，近段时间以来，国内MASH领域的“新药曝光度”有目共睹的在增加。  10月15日，微芯生物宣布，其研发的西格列他钠治疗非酒精性脂肪性肝炎（NASH）/代谢相关性脂肪性肝炎（MASH）的2期临床研究（CGZ203试验）摘要入选美国肝病研究学会年会（AASLD 2024），11月17日以口头报告形式公布。  10月18日，中国国家药监局药品审评中心（CDE）官网公示，康弘药业1类THR-β新药KH629片获得临床试验默示许可，拟开发用于治疗成人非酒精性脂肪性肝炎。  为何沉寂40余年的MASH新药研究，短时间内俨然成为“流量”的代名词，成为众多药企争相入局的潜力市场，其背后又是怎样的底层逻辑使然？ 患病率高涨 MASH是临床需求愈发迫切 其实，与大多数肝脏慢性病不同，近年来非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）的患病率不降反增，现阶段已取代乙肝成为我国最常见的慢性肝病。  资料显示，中国成年人中NAFLD患病率高达29.2%，10年内整体增长10%，中国MASH患病率约为2.4%～6.1%，我国NAFLD/MASH患者疾病负担极其沉重。据弗若斯特沙利文报告预计， 2030 年全球 MASH 患病人数将达到 4.9 亿人，全球MASH药物市场将达到 322 亿美元。  作为NAFLD中最严重的发展阶段，原理上MASH是一种与代谢紊乱相关的肝脏疾病，其特征是肝脏中脂肪的异常积累，伴随着炎症和肝细胞损伤，早年间被称为非酒精性脂肪性肝炎（NASH）。  40余年的相关研究下，人们对MASH的发病机制仍尚未完全明确，目前认为其乃是一种代谢应激性肝损伤，与多种因素相关，复杂的级联反应下的肝细胞损伤机制有以下几种，主要包括胰岛素抵抗、氧化应激、炎症反应和脂质代谢异常等多个环节。  在临床表现方面，MASH通常情况下起病隐匿且缓慢，且通常无症状，多于常规检查过程中无意发现，并且由于MASH通常情况下难以自发缓解，在早期无干预的情况下进展为肝纤维化的风险很高，大约有15%的患者会发展为肝硬化、肝衰竭和肝细胞癌。 临床药物缺乏 MASH传统治疗局限性大  在Resmetirom获FDA批准上市之前，全球尚无治疗 NAFLD/NASH 的靶向性药物，而由于MASH与肥胖、2 型糖尿病、高血压、血脂紊乱等疾病的密切相关性，目前普遍认为控制这些疾病可有效改善 NAFLD/NASH的代谢状态，从而延缓疾病进展。  因此，NAFLD以及MASH的治疗基础仍是生活方式的干预和饮食方案的优化，生活习惯的改善，尤其饮食的控制及锻炼减重等可减少肝脏脂肪沉积，有利于改善 MASH 的生化指标和肝组织学病变，相关研究显示，体重减轻 3% 即可改善 NAFLD患者脂肪肝病情程度，减重 7% 可改善肝脏炎症等组 织学指标，减重 10% 可逆转肝纤维化水平。  而在药物治疗方面，临床上主要针对抗胰岛素抵抗、抗氧化应激、降血脂、促进脂质代谢及保护肝细胞膜等对MASH进行治疗，如二甲双胍、维生素 E、熊去氧胆酸、FXR激动剂奥贝胆酸、肝损伤治疗药物等保肝药物的使用。  但同时，上述药物治疗方式的局限性也很大，一者药物的治疗剂量、有效性及安全性均尚不明确，有待进一步研究；二者，如奥贝胆酸等FXR激动剂的不良反应也极大限制了其在MASH领域的应用。  故现阶段的MASH临床治疗上，迫切需要一种副作用低、能逆转肝纤维化、患者顺应性佳的创新疗法。 四大方向 推动MASH机制逐渐清晰 就目前而言，通过对MASH的发病机制研究，目前已有多款靶点给予了MASH有效干预，是目前乃至未来MASH治疗的主要方向。从类型上来看主要分为代谢、消化、抗炎、抗纤维化四种方向：  代谢类：改善胰岛素敏感性、抑制脂肪生成各种酶、促进线粒体摄取脂肪酸等。 消化类：调控肝肠轴的循环、改善胆汁酸的循环与信号传导、改善肠道菌群的平衡等。 抗炎类：抑制炎症细胞聚集、阻断炎性信号传导、降低氧化作用和内质网应激反应、防止肝细胞凋亡等。 抗纤维化：针对肝脏中的星形细胞、减轻肝脏中胶原蛋白的沉积、增强纤维分解等。 而在这四种类型药物之下，又可以细分出不同的靶点选择，各靶点方向之下又存在不同的技术优势与产品差异。 数据来源：公开数据整理（点击查看大图） 据不完全统计，全球现有MASH在研疗法已突破350款。其中代谢类与消化类的数量最多，而前者主要机制集中于肝内，在逆转纤维化方面具有优势，而后者则是从肝外机制着手，在降低肝脏脂肪积累与纤维化进展方面优势明显，两者机制各有优劣，未来大概率会是协同合作的关系。  临床阶段方面，虽绝大多数创新疗法均集中在临床前阶段，但跨入临床阶段的产品依旧不少，其中以临床II期管线数量最多，共计108款；而进入临床III期产品则也有18款之多。 表1.MASH临床III期管线 药品名称 靶点 适应症最高阶段 原研单位 利莫纳班 rimonabant CB1 临床Ⅲ期 赛诺菲 依碳酸瑞格列净 remogliflozin etabonate SLC5A2 临床Ⅲ期 BHV Pharma Inc;格兰马克制药有限公司 沙格列扎镁 aroglitazar magnesium INS 临床Ⅲ期 Zydus Lifesciences Ltd 司美格鲁肽  semaglutide GLP-1R 临床Ⅲ期 丹麦诺和诺德公司 腺苷蛋氨酸 ademetionine Transferase 临床Ⅲ期 雅培制药 芦比前列酮 lubiprostone CFTR;ClC-2;PGE1 临床Ⅲ期 Sucampo Pharma LLC 佩玛贝特 pemafibrate PPAR-alpha 临床Ⅲ期 Kowa Co Ltd 塞拉德帕 seladelpar PPAR-delta 临床Ⅲ期 CymaBay Therapeutics Inc;强生创新制药 aramchol SCD1 临床Ⅲ期 Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd survodutide GLP-1R;GCGR 临床Ⅲ期 Zealand Pharma A/S;勃林格殷格翰 FXR314 NR1H4 临床Ⅲ期 Organovo Holdings inc 拉尼兰诺 lanifibranor PPAR-alpha;PPAR-delta;PPAR-gamma 临床Ⅲ期 Inventiva 可妥度肽 cotadutide GLP-1;GCGR 临床Ⅲ期 阿斯利康 瑟隆舍替selonsertib MAP3K5 临床Ⅲ期 美国吉利德科学公司 塞尼韦洛 cenicriviroc CCR2;CCR5 临床Ⅲ期 Tobira Therapeutics Inc;武田药品工业株式会社 ENB-106 / 临床Ⅲ期 上海轶诺药业有限公司 依鲁西夫明 efruxifermin FGF21 临床Ⅲ期 安进公司 norucholic acid / 临床Ⅲ期 德国霍克大药厂 数据来源：药智数据 三大靶点 引领MASH新药加速落地  就MASH在研药物靶点分布上而言，glp-1、FXR、THR-β、FGF19/21与PPAR是现阶段MASH最主要的在研药物类型。 数据来源：药智数据 从数量上来看，FXR激动剂、GLP1在研发热度上远超其他靶点，其在研数量也最多，目前均有超过30款相关疗法布局；其次是THR-β、FGF19/21与PPAR，分别有19、18与13款新药布局；其余靶点数量则相对较少，其临床阶段也相对靠后。  从趋势上来看，FXR激动剂虽然是MASH领域的老牌靶点之一，但由于靶点特殊作用机制，其在副作用上的局限性太大，直接影响了其在临床上的应用潜力。至少就现在而言，反而是glp-1与THR-β两种机制的MASH新药更受关注，未来也更容易占据头牌。 数据来源：药智数据 GLP-1  由于原理上GLP-1类似物能够有效改善糖脂代谢异常，因此GLP-1受体激动剂在糖尿病与减重适应症外，也被视为潜在的MASH治疗药物。 表2.GLP-1应用于MASH的创新疗法 药品名称 靶点 原研单位 适应症最高阶段 司美格鲁肽 semaglutide GLP-1R 丹麦诺和诺德公司 临床Ⅲ期 survodutide GLP-1R;GCGR Zealand Pharma A/S;勃林格殷格翰 临床Ⅲ期 可妥度肽 cotadutide GLP-1;GCGR 阿斯利康 临床Ⅲ期 替尔泊肽 tirzepatide GIPR;GLP-1R 礼来制药 临床Ⅱ期 RAY-1225 GLP-1;GIP 广东众生睿创生物科技有限公司 临床Ⅱ期 HEC-88473 FGF21;GLP-1R 东莞市东阳光生物药研发有限公司 临床Ⅱ期 派维度肽 pemvidutide GLP-1R;GCGR Altor BioScience Corp合作：Altimmune Inc 临床Ⅱ期 尤曲格鲁肽 utreglutide GLP-1R 印度太阳药业有限公司 临床Ⅱ期 巴度肽 bamadutide GLP-1R;GCGR 赛诺菲 临床Ⅱ期 依福培肽 efocipegtrutide GIPR;GLP-1R;GCGR 韩美药品株式会社 临床Ⅱ期 数据来源：药智数据 截止目前，随着人们对 GLP-1 的焦点由减肥向在抗 MASH转变之下，已有超30种GLP-1药物正在研究其治疗MASH的潜力，临床上推进较快的产品不少，较出名的产品有诺和诺德的司美格鲁肽、勃林格殷格翰的survodutide、阿斯利康的cotadutide、礼来制药的tirzepatide。  其中，Semaglutide与替尔泊肽作为GLP-1两大重磅产品，在关于MASH的治疗研究中均显示出减少肝脏脂肪积累、降低炎症水平的潜力，极大地振奋了行业对GLP-1作用于MASH的信心。  但与此同时，GLP-1在治疗MASH上的局限性也逐渐体现，即虽然在减少肝脏脂肪积累和纤维化方面的效果显著，但对逆转肝脏纤维化上却缺乏足够、全面、多维度的有效证据。这就导致GLP-1疗法单药治疗既无法完全满足现有的临床需求，也很难与其他疗法拉开差距。  对此，有关人士表示，GLP-1未来要想在MASH领域站稳脚跟，要么就逆转纤维化做出更多差异化成果，要么依靠肝外机制改善代谢紊乱的特点，与众多肝内机制的MASH疗法形成联动与互补，以协同策略解决MASH的临床需求。 Fxr（NR1H4） 作为曾经治疗MASH最重要的靶点，也是MASH早期阶段最主要的在研药物形式，FXR作为一种肠肝调节因子，不仅参与胆汁酸信号传导，调控胆汁酸合成和转运，还可以调节葡萄糖稳态、脂质和胆固醇代谢等其他生理功能以及抑制炎症，在MASH治疗上，目前已显示出一定的治疗效果。  截止目前，除已经宣布终止MASH适应症开发的奥贝胆酸外，领域内仍有超过30款Fxr激动剂涉及MASH适应症，其中Organovo的FXR314已进入了临床III期，是现阶段推进最快的Fxr激动剂；之后，还有10余款管线进入了临床II期，较受期待的有吉利德的cilofexor、诺华制药的nidufexor、东阳光药业HEC96719等。 表3.MASH中Fxr激动剂创新疗法 药品名称 靶点 原研单位 适应症最高阶段 奥贝胆酸 obeticholic acid NR1H4 Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc 注册申请 FXR314 NR1H4 Organovo Holdings inc 临床Ⅲ期 昔洛法克索 cilofexor NR1H4 Phenex Pharmaceuticals AG;美国吉利德科学公司 临床Ⅱ期 尼度法克索 nidufexor NR1H4 诺华制药 临床Ⅱ期 HEC96719 NR1H4 广东东阳光药业股份有限公司 临床Ⅱ期 卓匹非索 tropifexor NR1H4 诺华制药 临床Ⅱ期 CS-0159 NR1H4 Van Andel Institute;中国科学院上海药物研究所;凯思凯迪（上海）医药科技有限公司 临床Ⅱ期 EDP-305 NR1H4 Enanta Pharmaceuticals Inc 临床Ⅱ期 TERN-101 NR1H4 上海拓臻生物科技有限公司;礼来制药 临床Ⅱ期 MET-642 NR1H4 Metacrine Inc 临床Ⅱ期 MET-409 NR1H4 Metacrine Inc 临床Ⅱ期 HPG1860 NR1H4 雅创医药技术（上海）有限公司 临床Ⅱ期 EYP-001 NR1H4 Poxel SA 临床Ⅱ期 数据来源：药智数据 而与此同时，虽然近年来Fxr激动剂领域用于MASH治疗的研究开发正在进入快速发展期，但临床获益有限，副作用严重等局限性也制约了其在临床上应用，最显著的例子就是奥贝胆酸，其2015年获FDA突破性疗法资格认定，是全球第一个进入临床3期的MASH候选产品，但最终仍因获益不确定性、副作用较大而折戟，经历多次被FDA否决后，最终无奈宣布终止其用于MASH领域的开发。  因此，对于Fxr激动剂整体而言，在保证创新疗法的有效性，研究机构未来更大的精力或将集中于创新疗法的不良反应的减少与安全性的提高上。  THR-β  THR-β是一种核激素受体，其主要在肝脏中高表达，能够调节脂代谢，降低低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）、甘油三酯和致动脉粥样硬化性脂蛋白，因此成为理论上MASH最具潜力的治疗靶点。  此外，THR-β还可以通过促进脂肪酸的分解和刺激线粒体的生物发生来减少脂肪毒性并改善肝功能，进而减少肝脏脂肪。这也是为何THR-β激动剂会具备调控多种肝脏代谢通路来治疗MASH的潜力的原因。其在MASH上的主要作用有以下5点：  调控脂肪合成 调控脂肪酸氧化作用 调控胆固醇代谢 调控线粒体功能 通过抑制TGF-β信号通路发挥抗炎和抗纤维化作用 2024年3月，Resmetirom成为首款获FDA批准上市的治疗代谢功能障碍相关脂肪性肝炎（MASH）的新药，也是THR-β激动剂领域首款撞线的产品。 表4.MASH中THR-β激动剂创新疗法 药品名称 靶点 原研单位 适应症最高阶段 瑞司美替罗 resmetirom THRB Madrigal Pharmaceuticals Inc;罗氏制药 批准上市 VK-2809 THRB Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc;Viking Therapeutics Inc 临床Ⅱ期 ASC41 THRB 歌礼制药有限公司;甘莱制药有限公司 临床Ⅱ期 TERN-501 THRB 上海拓臻生物科技有限公司 临床Ⅱ期 HSK-31679 THRB 海思科医药集团股份有限公司 临床Ⅱ期 ALG-055009 THRB Aligos Therapeutics Inc 临床Ⅰ期 ASC-43-F THRB;NR1H4 歌礼制药有限公司;甘莱制药有限公司 临床Ⅰ期 RJ-4287 THRB 南京奥利墨斯医药科技有限公司 临床Ⅰ期 Kylo-0603 THRB 厦门甘宝利生物医药有限公司 临床Ⅰ期 CS-060304 THRB 凯思凯迪（上海）医药科技有限公司 临床Ⅰ期 CS-060380 THRB 凯思凯迪（上海）医药科技有限公司 临床Ⅰ期 数据来源：药智数据 Resmetirom的成功获批一方面为MASH患者的治疗提供了新手段，同时另一方面也证明了THR-β激动剂路线的可行性。  也正是因此，THR-β激动剂成为全球MASH新药研发的主要集中方向，多款THR-β激动剂紧随其后，均表现出不俗的潜力，目前临床阶段进展较快的主要有四款，分别是Ligand的VK-2809、歌礼制药的ASC41、拓臻生物的TERN-501以及海思科的HSK-31679，均已进入了临床II期。  而更值得注意的是，THR-β激动剂也是目前国内MASH在研新药最集中的方向，处于领先地位（临床进度靠前）的创新疗法数量远高于其他几种类型。未来，不出意外的话，国内在该领域的突破大概率也将集中此，或许还有望领先于海外药企，成为MNC争夺的关键。 小结  纵观MASH领域40余年的发展历史，从致病机制的不断完善，到临床上的对症治疗出现，再到今年首款新药获批上市，MASH的新药研发充满坎坷。  但随着MASH新药研发的四大机制方向、10余款创新靶点的逐步落地，领域内似乎正在逐渐形成一个系统化、宏观化的研发格局，过程中不断有更多如GLP-1、THR-β等全新的疗法加入，至少目前看来俨然一副百废待兴，可大展拳脚的状态。  而对于国内药企而言，虽然某种程度上做不到如海外一般全赛道布局，但在个别如THR-β激动剂等潜力领域的优势却反而更大，或许这种强调聚焦的国内赛道模式，未来或许真能让中国企业站上国际舞台，成为MASH领域的龙头之一。 来源 | 博药（药智网获取授权转载） 撰稿 | 头孢 责任编辑 | 八角 声明：本文系药智网转载内容，图片、文字版权归原作者所有，转载目的在于传递更多信息，并不代表本平台观点。如涉及作品内容、版权和其它问题，请在本平台留言，我们将在第一时间删除。 商务合作 | 王存星 19922864877（同微信）  阅读原文，是受欢迎的文章哦

Following a nearly unanimous adcomm against Alfasigma and Intercept Pharmaceuticals’ rare liver disease drug Ocaliva, the FDA has delayed its decision on whether to convert the drug from an accelerated to a full approval. The original PDUFA date for the drug’s sNDA was Oct. 16. For now, the treatment remains available via the accelerated approval for patients with primary biliary cholangitis in the US, Intercept president Vivek Devaraj wrote in a statement , adding that the company “will continue to engage with the FDA regarding our pending application.” The treatment has faced multiple setbacks since its accelerated approval in 2016, including the addition of a boxed warning in 2018 after it was being incorrectly dosed as a daily treatment, as opposed to a weekly treatment. Alfasigma bought the drug as part of its $800 million buyout of Intercept Pharmaceuticals last year. The FDA adcomm in September recommended against full approval for the FXR agonist by a 13-1 vote, concluding that confirmatory trial data didn’t verify that the treatment provided a clinical benefit. The adcomm discussed data from two studies: a traditional confirmatory study designed to be randomized and placebo-controlled, and a real-world evidence trial. In a separate vote, panelists decided 10-1 that the benefits of Ocaliva did not outweigh its risks, with three abstentions. The European Commission also revoked Ocaliva’s conditional marketing authorization in September, which was available in Europe as a second-line treatment in the liver disease. The decision came after a June recommendation from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, which reassessed the benefit-risk profile of the drug.

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Alfasigma S.p.A., today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed the Company that it is continuing its review of the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for full approval of OCALIVA® (obeticholic acid, OCA) for the treatment of indicated patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and its action under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), expected on October 15, 2024, has been delayed. The FDA did not provide a new anticipated action date. OCALIVA remains available for the treatment of appropriate PBC patients in the U.S. under accelerated approval status. Healthcare professionals who have questions about OCALIVA can contact Intercept Medical Information, and patients with questions should contact their healthcare providers. “We will continue to engage with the FDA regarding our pending application,” said Vivek Devaraj, U.S. President and Chairman at Intercept. “We are grateful for the continuous and ongoing support of the PBC community.” About Primary Biliary CholangitisPrimary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a rare, progressive, and chronic autoimmune disease that affects the bile ducts in the liver and is most prevalent (approximately 1 in 10,000) in women over the age of 40. PBC causes bile acid to build up in the liver, resulting in inflammation and scarring (fibrosis), which, if left untreated, can lead to cirrhosis, a liver transplant, or death. About InterceptIntercept is a biopharmaceutical company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Alfasigma S.p.A. focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics to treat rare and serious liver diseases, including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (sAH). Intercept owns the commercial rights to OCALIVA in the U.S. market. For more information, please visit www.interceptpharma.com or connect with the Company on LinkedIn, Threads and X (formerly Twitter). About Ocaliva® (obeticholic acid)OCALIVA, a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis who do not have evidence of portal hypertension, either in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) with an inadequate response to UDCA or as monotherapy in patients unable to tolerate UDCA. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on a reduction in alkaline phosphatase (ALP). An improvement in survival or disease-related symptoms has not been established. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: HEPATIC DECOMPENSATION AND FAILURE IN PRIMARY BILIARY CHOLANGITIS PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS Hepatic decompensation and failure, sometimes fatal or resulting in liver transplant, have been reported with OCALIVA treatment in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients with either compensated or decompensated cirrhosis. OCALIVA is contraindicated in PBC patients with decompensated cirrhosis, a prior decompensation event, or with compensated cirrhosis who have evidence of portal hypertension. Permanently discontinue OCALIVA in patients who develop laboratory or clinical evidence of hepatic decompensation; have compensated cirrhosis and develop evidence of portal hypertension, or experience clinically significant hepatic adverse reactions while on treatment. Contraindications OCALIVA is contraindicated in patients with: decompensated cirrhosis (e.g., Child-Pugh Class B or C) or a prior decompensation event compensated cirrhosis who have evidence of portal hypertension (e.g., ascites, gastroesophageal varices, persistent thrombocytopenia) complete biliary obstruction Warnings and Precautions Hepatic Decompensation and Failure in PBC Patients with Cirrhosis Hepatic decompensation and failure, sometimes fatal or resulting in liver transplant, have been reported with OCALIVA treatment in PBC patients with cirrhosis, either compensated or decompensated. Among post-marketing cases reporting it, median time to hepatic decompensation (e.g., new onset ascites) was 4 months for patients with compensated cirrhosis; median time to a new decompensation event (e.g., hepatic encephalopathy) was 2.5 months for patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Some of these cases occurred in patients with decompensated cirrhosis when they were treated with higher than the recommended dosage for that patient population; however, cases of hepatic decompensation and failure have continued to be reported in patients with decompensated cirrhosis even when they received the recommended dosage. Hepatotoxicity was observed in the OCALIVA clinical trials. A dose-response relationship was observed for the occurrence of hepatic adverse reactions including jaundice, worsening ascites, and primary biliary cholangitis flare with dosages of OCALIVA of 10 mg once daily to 50 mg once daily (up to 5-times the highest recommended dosage), as early as one month after starting treatment with OCALIVA in two 3-month, placebo-controlled clinical trials in patients with primarily early stage PBC. Routinely monitor patients for progression of PBC, including hepatic adverse reactions, with laboratory and clinical assessments to determine whether drug discontinuation is needed. Closely monitor patients with compensated cirrhosis, concomitant hepatic disease (e.g., autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease), and/or with severe intercurrent illness for new evidence of portal hypertension (e.g., ascites, gastroesophageal varices, persistent thrombocytopenia), or increases above the upper limit of normal in total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, or prothrombin time to determine whether drug discontinuation is needed. Permanently discontinue OCALIVA in patients who develop laboratory or clinical evidence of hepatic decompensation (e.g., ascites, jaundice, variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy), have compensated cirrhosis and develop evidence of portal hypertension (e.g., ascites, gastroesophageal varices, persistent thrombocytopenia), experience clinically significant hepatic adverse reactions, or develop complete biliary obstruction. If severe intercurrent illness occurs, interrupt treatment with OCALIVA and monitor the patient’s liver function. After resolution of the intercurrent illness, consider the potential risks and benefits of restarting OCALIVA treatment. Severe Pruritus Severe pruritus was reported in 23% of patients in the OCALIVA 10 mg arm, 19% of patients in the OCALIVA titration arm, and 7% of patients in the placebo arm in a 12-month double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial of 216 patients. Severe pruritus was defined as intense or widespread itching, interfering with activities of daily living, or causing severe sleep disturbance, or intolerable discomfort, and typically requiring medical interventions. Consider clinical evaluation of patients with new onset or worsening severe pruritus. Management strategies include the addition of bile acid binding resins or antihistamines, OCALIVA dosage reduction, and/or temporary interruption of OCALIVA dosing. Reduction in HDL-C Patients with PBC generally exhibit hyperlipidemia characterized by a significant elevation in total cholesterol primarily due to increased levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Dose-dependent reductions from baseline in mean HDL-C levels were observed at 2 weeks in OCALIVA-treated patients, 20% and 9% in the 10 mg and titration arms, respectively, compared to 2% in the placebo arm. Monitor patients for changes in serum lipid levels during treatment. For patients who do not respond to OCALIVA after 1 year at the highest recommended dosage that can be tolerated (maximum of 10 mg once daily), and who experience a reduction in HDL-C, weigh the potential risks against the benefits of continuing treatment. Adverse Reactions The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) are: pruritus, fatigue, abdominal pain and discomfort, rash, oropharyngeal pain, dizziness, constipation, arthralgia, thyroid function abnormality, and eczema. Drug Interactions Bile Acid Binding Resins Bile acid binding resins such as cholestyramine, colestipol, or colesevelam adsorb and reduce bile acid absorption and may reduce the absorption, systemic exposure, and efficacy of OCALIVA. If taking a bile acid binding resin, take OCALIVA at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after taking the bile acid binding resin, or at as great an interval as possible. Warfarin The International Normalized Ratio (INR) decreased following coadministration of warfarin and OCALIVA. Monitor INR and adjust the dose of warfarin, as needed, to maintain the target INR range when co-administering OCALIVA and warfarin. CYP1A2 Substrates with Narrow Therapeutic Index Obeticholic acid may increase the exposure to concomitant drugs that are CYP1A2 substrates. Therapeutic monitoring of CYP1A2 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., theophylline and tizanidine) is recommended when co-administered with OCALIVA. Inhibitors of Bile Salt Efflux Pump Avoid concomitant use of inhibitors of the bile salt efflux pump (BSEP) such as cyclosporine. Concomitant medications that inhibit canalicular membrane bile acid transporters such as the BSEP may exacerbate accumulation of conjugated bile salts including taurine conjugate of obeticholic acid in the liver and result in clinical symptoms. If concomitant use is deemed necessary, monitor serum transaminases and bilirubin. Please click here for Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-844-782-ICPT or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. ContactFor more information about Intercept, please contact:For media:media@interceptpharma.com