Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can lead to serious conditions such as cirrhosis and its complications, liver cancer and hepatic transplantation. Many patients eventually die from liver-related problems or cardiovascular disease. The challenge in developing drugs for NASH is to demonstrate an improvement in clinical outcomes. Cirrhosis takes several years to develop, …
What Are the Emerging Noninvasive Biomarkers in NASH?
Novel biomarkers represent a promising means to improve diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Currently, a definitive diagnosis requires a liver biopsy, a surgical procedure with many limitations. There are a variety of biomarkers that can assess liver status, but they do not always distinguish between patients with NASH and those …
Accelerating Rare Disease and Orphan Drug Development: Opportunities for Biomarkers, Diagnostics & Patient Engagement
Rare diseases affect more than 350 million people worldwide but patients often face limited options for approved therapies. As a result, many patients have joined advocacy groups first and foremost to connect with others struggling with their rare disease, but also to promote research, unite multiple stakeholders and stimulate new possibilities …
Capitalizing on Global Drug Development Opportunities from China
The Chinese pharmaceutical market continues to grow steadily, but drug developers in China face similar challenges as their global counterparts: Development times are increasing and success rates are declining. Xiaoning Guo, PhD, PMP, clinical development program director of our Asia Pacific services, recently discussed potential strategies to improve investment returns …