Enanta To Discontinue Internal Development Of NASH Candidates

After looking at interim phase 2b data, Enanta Pharmaceuticals Inc ENTA has decided to stop the monotherapy trial of EDP-305 for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
Instead, Enanta now plans to prioritize combination approaches through out-licensing arrangements.
The company has two NASH candidates, EDP-305 and EDP-297, in the clinic. Both drugs are FXR agonists.
Neither candidate has done enough to persuade Enanta to continue internal development.
Enanta is stopping the phase 2b trial of EDP-305 that began last year after an interim analysis of the 12-week data.
Enanta had the option to switch its focus to its follow-up candidate. However, a Phase 1 trial suggested EDP-297 is "not substantially differentiated" from EDP-305.
The phase 1 study "found the overall balance of activity and tolerability was comparable to that of EDP-305."
Price Action: ENTA stock closed down by 1.26% at $60.19 on Monday.