Cyclerion's sGC stimulator praliciguat ameliorates NASH in rodents

INDICATION: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Rat and mouse studies suggest the systemic sGC stimulator praliciguat could help treat NASH. In liver samples from patients, levels of an sGC subunit were higher in fibrotic tissue than in non-fibrotic tissue. In a rat model of NASH, praliciguat increased levels of cGMP, sGC's enzymatic product, in fibrotic liver tissue and decreased levels of markers of liver damage and inflammation compared with vehicle. In a second rat model and a mouse model of NASH, praliciguat decreased levels of markers of liver damage and inflammation compared with vehicle. In the two rat models, praliciguat decreased liver fibrosis and in the mouse model, praliciguat decreased steatosis and levels of a marker of liver fibrosis. Next steps by Cyclerion Therapeutics Inc. include developing a liver-specific sGC stimulator for undisclosed liver indications...