89bio Initiates Phase 3 ENLIGHTEN-Fibrosis Trial of Pegozafermin in Non-Cirrhotic Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) Patients with Fibrosis

—Co-primary endpoints in ENLIGHTEN-Fibrosis assessed at week 52 will potentially support accelerated approval in non-cirrhotic MASH (fibrosis stage F2-F3) patients—

—ENLIGHTEN-Cirrhosis, the second trial in the program, is planned to evaluate patients with compensated cirrhosis (F4) and is expected to initiate in the second quarter of 2024—

SAN FRANCISCO, March 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 89bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: ETNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of liver and cardiometabolic diseases, today announced the initiation of its Phase 3 ENLIGHTEN Program evaluating the efficacy and safety of pegozafermin in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). ENLIGHTEN-Fibrosis, the first of two Phase 3 trials in the program, has initiated and is evaluating non-cirrhotic MASH patients with fibrosis stage F2-F3.

"The ENLIGHTEN-Fibrosis trial is designed to build on the robust anti-fibrotic and metabolic effects observed across non-cirrhotic MASH patients treated with pegozafermin in the Phase 2b ENLIVEN trial,” said Rohit Loomba, M.D., MHSc, Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, and lead investigator of the ENLIGHTEN program. “There is a critical need for a therapeutic option that improves liver health and provides anti-fibrotic benefits for MASH patients with fibrosis.”

ENLIGHTEN-Fibrosis is a global Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pegozafermin for the treatment of patients with biopsy-confirmed non-cirrhotic MASH. Approximately 1,000 patients are expected to be randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive either 30mg of pegozafermin administered weekly, 44mg administered every two weeks, or placebo. The co-primary endpoints are a one-point or greater improvement in fibrosis with no worsening of MASH, and MASH resolution with no worsening of fibrosis. The co-primary endpoints will be assessed at week 52 and are intended to support a filing for accelerated approval in the U.S. and conditional approval in Europe in non-cirrhotic patients. Patients are expected to continue to be treated beyond the 52-week assessment through outcomes to support full approval.