Gilead acquires NASH program from Phenex

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) acquired the farnesoid X receptor (FXR; NR1H4) program from Phenex Pharmaceuticals AG (Ludwigshafen, Germany) to treat liver diseases including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cirrhosis. The deal includes an upfront payment and development milestones worth up to $470 million.

In recent conversations with BioCentury, buysiders speculated Gilead would look to add assets in cancer or in another liver disease such as NASH (see BioCentury, Jan. 5, 2015). ...