MediciNova falls as fatty liver drug misses significance on blood-fat reduction
MNOV•MediciNova said its experimental drug MN-001 reduced triglycerides by about 22% versus about 7% with placebo after 24 weeks in a 40-patient trial, but the difference was not statistically significant. Shares fell 8.9% premarket.
1. Trial results
MediciNova said its experimental oral drug MN-001 lowered blood fats in a mid-stage trial involving 40 patients with fatty liver disease, high triglycerides and type 2 diabetes. After 24 weeks, triglycerides fell about 22% with the drug versus about 7% with placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant. HDL levels increased significantly, while reductions in liver fat and body weight were not statistically significant. No drug-related serious side effects were reported, and the company said a larger study is needed to further assess the drug's effectiveness.
