Madrigal announces publication of results from MAESTRO-NASH trial

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals announced the publication of positive patient-reported outcomes data demonstrating Rezdiffra improved health-related quality of life in patients with NASH with moderate to advanced fibrosis. The results were published in the journal Hepatology. Rezdiffra is a once-daily, oral, liver-directed thyroid hormone receptor-beta agonist designed to target key underlying causes of NASH. It is the first FDA-approved medication for the treatment of NASH. In the pivotal Phase 3 MAESTRO-NASH biopsy trial, Rezdiffra achieved both fibrosis improvement and NASH resolution primary endpoints, and 80% of patients treated with Rezdiffra 100 mg experienced improvement or stabilization of fibrosis. Rezdiffra is indicated in conjunction with diet and exercise for the treatment of adults with noncirrhotic NASH with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in ongoing confirmatory trials. In the study, changes in HRQL scores from baseline were evaluated in patients receiving Rezdiffra versus placebo and compared between patients with and without biopsy response. By weeks 24 and 52, patients receiving both doses of Rezdiffra experienced improvement of HRQL scores in the Worry domain of the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire-NASH. At week 52, Rezdiffra-treated patients who achieved fibrosis improvement or NASH resolution experienced improvement in several HRQL domains, including domains for Worry, Health Distress and Stigma. The improvement in HRQL among Rezdiffra biopsy responders was contrasted by no similar improvement in the placebo group. Biopsy responders with stage F3 fibrosis at baseline had similar or more pronounced improvements of HRQL in comparison to those responders with F2 or F1B fibrosis at baseline.