Zydus Lifesciences has completed enrolment of Phase 2b/3 EPICS IIITM trial of Saroglitazar Mg in patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC).

PBC is a rare, progressive autoimmune disease that gradually destroys the bile ducts, resulting in an accumulation of bile in the liver which can result in fibrosis, cirrhosis, the need for liver transplantation or death. PBC disproportionately affects women, with 1 in 1,000 women over the age of 40 being afflicted, 9 times the rate for men. PBC is characterized by increases in biochemical markers, especially alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin and liver transaminases. Clinical symptoms include pruritus (itching) and fatigue, both of which can be severe. PBC is a life-long condition and only medications can be used to manage and slow its progression.

Saroglitazar Mg is a potent and selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and gamma dual agonist. Results of phase 2, a prospective multicentre randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Saroglitazar Mg in patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (EPICS) was presented earlier at the Liver Meeting 2020, the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), and has been published in the ‘Journal of Hepatology’.

Overall Principal Investigator for Saroglitazar Mg global development programme, Professor Naga Chalasani, David W. Crabb Chair in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA lauded the Zydus team and investigators across 3 countries for achieving this milestone in a record time. The results from this pivotal trial holds potential to greatly improve the treatment choices available for this difficult-to-treat and rare liver disorder.

The EPICS-IIITM Phase 2(b)/3 trial is led by Lead Principal Investigator Prof Raj Vuppalanchi. The late-stage clinical program with Saroglitazar Mg EPICS IIITM trial is now fully enrolled and will assess the efficacy and safety in patients with PBC who are uncontrolled on the usual first line PBC treatment.

Raj mentioned, “Patients with PBC often look for treatments that not only improve liver health but also alleviate associated symptoms like itching and fatigue ultimately enhancing overall quality of life. There is growing optimism that Saroglitazar Mg at optimal dosage will address these needs with better efficacy, safety and tolerability compared to existing options. Both patients and medical community are eagerly awaiting the outcomes of this trial. I have strong hope that Saroglitazar Mg will establish itself as a primary therapy, significantly improving the daily lives of individuals suffering from PBC.”

Speaking on the development, Chairman, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., Pankaj Patel, said, "The conclusion of enrolment marks an important milestone for the for EPICS IIITM Phase 2b/3 trial and we would like to thank all our clinical collaborators and patients. There is a high need for new treatment options to reduce the risk of disease progression in patients living with PBC and we are looking forward to working with patient advocacy groups.”