Gilead Sciences has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Phenex Pharmaceuticals’ Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) program of small molecule FXR agonists for the treatment of liver diseases including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Phenex will receive an upfront payment plus development milestones that may potentially be worth as much as $470 million.
 
NASH is a common, serious chronic liver disease characterized by inflammation and excessive fat accumulation in the liver and may lead to progressive fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver failure. NASH is estimated to affect 10 to 20% of people in the developed world. There are currently no approved therapies to treat NASH. FXR is a nuclear hormone receptor that regulates bile acid, lipid and glucose homeostasis, which can help reduce liver steatosis and inflammation, and may help prevent liver fibrosis.
 
“The acquisition of Phenex’s FXR program represents an important opportunity to accelerate Gilead’s efforts to develop new treatment options that address fibrotic liver diseases,” said Norbert W. Bischofberger, PhD, Gilead’s executive vice president, R&D and chief scientific officer. “We look forward to working closely with Phenex’s research and development team to advance the FXR program into clinical development as quickly as possible to explore its potential in areas of significant unmet need.”