Novartis, Allergan planning NASH combo trial

Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) and Allergan plc (NYSE:AGN) said they will test a combination including a farnesoid X receptor (FXR; NR1H4) agonist from Novartis and cenicriviroc (formerly TBR-652) from Allergan in a Phase IIb trial to treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Allergan acquired cenicriviroc, a dual agonist of CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5; CD195) and CCR2 (CD192), via its acquisition of Tobira Therapeutics Inc. in 2H16 (see BioCentury, Oct. 3, 2016).

Allergan spokesperson Mark Marmur declined to disclose financial terms or a timeline for the trial, and Novartis did not respond to inquiries...