NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) occurs when there is a build-up of excess fat in the liver that is accompanied by inflammation and fibrosis. Some amount of liver fat is normal, but a higher amount is termed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NASH is a progressive inflammatory disease occurring in fatty liver that leads to severe fibrosis (cirrhosis) and may require liver transplantation. NASH usually occurs in people with NAFLD who are obese and may have other health problems, such as type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia. NASH has been termed “the next big global epidemic”. About 30% of the global population has fatty liver, up to 30% of these patients will develop NASH, and up to 25% of patients with NASH will develop cirrhosis within 7 years from diagnosis.

NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) occurs when there is a build-up of excess fat in the liver that is accompanied by inflammation and fibrosis. Some amount of liver fat is normal, but a higher amount is termed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NASH is a progressive inflammatory disease occurring in fatty liver that leads to severe fibrosis (cirrhosis) and may require liver transplantation. NASH usually occurs in people with NAFLD who are obese and may have other health problems, such as type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia. NASH has been termed “the next big global epidemic”. About 30% of the global population has fatty liver, up to 30% of these patients will develop NASH, and up to 25% of patients with NASH will develop cirrhosis within 7 years from diagnosis.

NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) occurs when there is a build-up of excess fat in the liver that is accompanied by inflammation and fibrosis. Some amount of liver fat is normal, but a higher amount is termed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NASH is a progressive inflammatory disease occurring in fatty liver that leads to severe fibrosis (cirrhosis) and may require liver transplantation. NASH usually occurs in people with NAFLD who are obese and may have other health problems, such as type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia. NASH has been termed “the next big global epidemic”. About 30% of the global population has fatty liver, up to 30% of these patients will develop NASH, and up to 25% of patients with NASH will develop cirrhosis within 7 years from diagnosis.

Progression from NAFLD to NASH is thought to require “two hits”: the first being an accumulation of excess liver fat, and the second being the initiation of an inflammatory process. As a “first hit”, uric acid is known to increase liver uptake of triglycerides.

A number of factors have been proposed as the “second hit”. However, uric acid itself generates “reactive oxygen species” (ROS) that cause tissue damage and inflammation in multiple diseases, including NASH, gout, atherosclerosis, and chronic kidney disease. ROS-induced lipid peroxidation triggers inflammation and generates cytokines that promote collagen formation that ultimately leads to liver fibrosis (cirrhosis).

Progression from NAFLD to NASH is thought to require “two hits”: the first being an accumulation of excess liver fat, and the second being the initiation of an inflammatory process. As a “first hit”, uric acid is known to increase liver uptake of triglycerides.

A number of factors have been proposed as the “second hit”. However, uric acid itself generates “reactive oxygen species” (ROS) that cause tissue damage and inflammation in multiple diseases, including NASH, gout, atherosclerosis, and chronic kidney disease. ROS-induced lipid peroxidation triggers inflammation and generates cytokines that promote collagen formation that ultimately leads to liver fibrosis (cirrhosis).

Progression from NAFLD to NASH is thought to require “two hits”: the first being an accumulation of excess liver fat, and the second being the initiation of an inflammatory process. As a “first hit”, uric acid is known to increase liver uptake of triglycerides.

A number of factors have been proposed as the “second hit”. However, uric acid itself generates “reactive oxygen species” (ROS) that cause tissue damage and inflammation in multiple diseases, including NASH, gout, atherosclerosis, and chronic kidney disease. ROS-induced lipid peroxidation triggers inflammation and generates cytokines that promote collagen formation that ultimately leads to liver fibrosis (cirrhosis).

A subgroup of NASH patients (30% to 50%) have elevated serum uric acid (UA).  In such patients, serum UA has shown a "dose:effect correlation" with NASH: namely, higher UA levels are clearly linked to a higher risk of developing NASH from fatty liver, as well the severity and progression of NASH to cirrhosis. Recent studies have shown that drugs that block UA production and/or accelerate its excretion can inhibit both the development and progression of NASH. These results have prompted calls for clinical trials of potent hypouricemic drugs in NASH.

Acquist plans to test its unique drugs in clinical trials of patients with NASH and elevated uric acid.

A subgroup of NASH patients (30% to 50%) have elevated serum uric acid (UA).  In such patients, serum UA has shown a "dose:effect correlation" with NASH: namely, higher UA levels are clearly linked to a higher risk of developing NASH from fatty liver, as well the severity and progression of NASH to cirrhosis. Recent studies have shown that drugs that block UA production and/or accelerate its excretion can inhibit both the development and progression of NASH. These results have prompted calls for clinical trials of potent hypouricemic drugs in NASH.

Acquist plans to test its unique drugs in clinical trials of patients with NASH and elevated uric acid.

A subgroup of NASH patients (30% to 50%) have elevated serum uric acid (UA).  In such patients, serum UA has shown a "dose:effect correlation" with NASH: namely, higher UA levels are clearly linked to a higher risk of developing NASH from fatty liver, as well the severity and progression of NASH to cirrhosis. Recent studies have shown that drugs that block UA production and/or accelerate its excretion can inhibit both the development and progression of NASH. These results have prompted calls for clinical trials of potent hypouricemic drugs in NASH.

Acquist plans to test its unique drugs in clinical trials of patients with NASH and elevated uric acid.