The Readout Loud 339: RFK Jr.'s confirmation hearings, MASH drugs, and a controversial obesity ad
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Jan 30, 2025 Rachel Korsdreng, STAT’s chief Washington correspondent, dives into the hot-button issues surrounding RFK Jr.'s contentious confirmation hearings. She sheds light on intense exchanges about vaccines and autism, particularly with senators like Bernie Sanders. The conversation also covers a groundbreaking study on reversing cirrhosis in patients with MASH, critiques of a provocative obesity ad, and innovative funding approaches in biotech aimed at tackling ALS. A fascinating mix of politics and healthcare advancements!
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MASH Breakthrough
- Akero Therapeutics reported positive results for a drug treating late-stage MASH, previously NASH.
- This marks the first time cirrhosis reversal has been observed in such patients.
GLP-1 Impact on Cirrhosis Reversal
- Akero's study highlighted a subgroup of patients not taking GLP-1s at baseline showed significant improvement.
- This suggests the cirrhosis reversal wasn't solely due to GLP-1 therapy, challenging existing assumptions.
Accelerated Approval Potential
- Akero's phase 3 study will explore the impact of their drug on liver transplant rates.
- The company may seek accelerated FDA approval based on the phase 2 data, aiming to get treatment to severe MASH patients faster.