UBE Corporation has announced that a Phase I clinical trial has been initiated for the Semicarbazide-Sensitive Amine Oxidase / Vascular Adhesion Protein-1 (SSAO/VAP-1) selective inhibitor (small molecule) NNC0560-0004, which has been granted an exclusive worldwide license to Novo Nordisk A/S.

This compound has shown promising efficacy in preclinical studies for its anti-inflammatory mechanism of action and antioxidative effect on endothelial cells and can potentially be used for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

MASH is a chronic and progressive liver disease characterised by fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver, which can lead to fibrosis and impaired liver function. If left untreated, individuals living with MASH may face serious consequences, including end-stage liver disease, liver cancer and the need for liver transplantation, and are at a significantly higher risk of liver-related mortality.

“We are very pleased that Novo Nordisk has moved this compound into the clinical development phase. We anticipate further advancements in this critical project to meet large unmet medical needs,” says Yoichi Funayama, Managing Executive Officer and Head of the Pharmaceutical Business Division at UBE.

“MASH is a serious and complex disease and people living with MASH currently have very limited treatment options. Novo Nordisk has seen good progress in the development program for this compound since licensing it from UBE in 2019 and we look forward to advancing it through clinical development,” says Karin Conde-Knape, senior vice president for Global Drug Discovery in Novo Nordisk.