Global market for NASH expected to increase substantially by 2020

The global nonalcoholic steatohepatitis market is expected to generate nearly $1.7 billion by 2020, according to a report from Allied Market Research.

The report said novel biomarker technologies and improvements in liver biopsy research and clinical trials are emerging that will play a significant role in the increased probability of industries receiving commercial approval for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) therapies by the end of 2017.

Results from a recent phase 2 trial showed the efficacy and safety of GFT505 (Genfit) for NASH, which now has been recommended by the European Medicines Agency for a phase 3 clinical trial. In addition, a phase 2 clinical trial initiated by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma, a partner of Intercept Pharmaceuticals, is under way and will test the efficacy and safety of obeticholic acid (INT-747) in 200 patients with NASH.

While North America currently has the highest number of research projects under way for NASH, the Asia-Pacific region is one of the fastest growing markets for therapies to treat NASH due to its high rates of obesity and diabetes. The number of patients with these conditions is expected to increase by up to 30-fold by 2030, according to the report.

The North American NASH drug pipeline currently includes: GFT505, obeticholic acid, simtuzumab (Gilead Sciences), liraglutide (Victoza, Novo Nordisk), vitamin E and pioglitazone.