Novartis provides update on phase 2b ENCORE-LF trial in NASH cirrhosis

• Conatus today announced top-line results from the ENCORE-LF trial, which did not meet its primary endpoint
• Novartis remains fully committed to pursuing the development of multiple compounds in collaborations
• Novartis is investing in one of the broadest pipelines in the industry for non-viral liver diseases, investigating mono and combination therapies
• There are currently no approved pharmacological treatments for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which affects up to 5% of the population worldwide[1], [2]

Basel, June 24, 2019 - In collaboration with Novartis, ENCORE-LF is a phase 2b trial that Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. conducted to evaluate emricasan (VAY785) in patients with decompensated NASH cirrhosis. Conatus announced this trial did not meet its primary endpoint of event-free survival relative to placebo.

"NASH is a complex, poorly understood condition with no currently available pharmacotherapy treatment options" said Eric Hughes, Global Development Unit Head, Immunology, Hepatology and Dermatology. "The data gathered as part of the ENCORE program are critical in advancing our understanding of NASH. We remain fully committed to pursuing the development of our multiple compounds, partnerships and new technologies to tackle this challenging-to-treat disease, which impacts up to 5% of the world's population."

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References
      [1]   Vernon G et al. Systematic review: the epidemiology and natural history of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in adults. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011;34(3):274-85.
      [2]   Younossi ZM et al. Global epidemiology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-Meta-analytic assessment of prevalence, incidence, and outcomes. Hepatol. 2016;64(1):73-84.

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