Phase 2 Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Trial, Terminated NCT02855164 Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Condition: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
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Trial results

AI generated results summary. Written by an AI model from the official source data and checked on a sample basis. It can contain mistakes, so confirm anything important against the original source. How we use AI

According to the results reported on ClinicalTrials.gov, this trial tested a drug called tropifexor (also known as LJN452) in people with a liver condition called NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, a form of fatty liver disease involving inflammation). The trial was run in three parts (Parts A, B, and C) and tested several different doses of tropifexor against a placebo (a dummy treatment with no active ingredient). In Parts A and B, 198 people took part across four dose levels (10, 30, 60, and 90 micrograms) and a placebo group. In Part C, 152 people took part across two higher dose levels (140 and 200 micrograms) and a separate placebo group. The trial measured things like side effects, liver enzyme levels in the blood, the amount of fat in the liver, and body weight. The reported data shows the following numbers after approximately 12 weeks of treatment. Regarding side effects (called "treatment-emergent adverse events"), the number of participants who experienced at least one was: 5 out of 14 on the 10 μg dose, 11 out of 16 on the 30 μg dose, 24 out of 37 on the 60 μg dose, 61 out of 85 on the 90 μg dose, 31 out of 46 in the Parts A+B placebo group, 49 out of 50 on the 140 μg dose, 49 out of 51 on the 200 μg dose, and 46 out of 51 in the Part C placebo group. For liver enzyme levels — two blood markers called ALT and AST that can indicate liver stress — all groups, including the placebo groups, showed reductions from their starting levels. For ALT, reported changes ranged from –12.0 to –28.7 units (IU/L) across the tropifexor groups, compared with –8.1 and –11.7 in the two placebo groups. For AST, reported changes ranged from –2.1 to –16.7 units across the tropifexor groups, compared with –7.1 and –13.1 in the two placebo groups. For liver fat measured by MRI scan, the reported relative changes ranged from –7.5% to –39.5% across the tropifexor dose groups, compared with –6.2% and –3.6% in the placebo groups. On the secondary measures, the reported changes in body weight ranged from –0.78 kg to –5.89 kg across the tropifexor groups, compared with no change (0.00 kg) and –2.48 kg in the placebo groups. BMI changes followed a similar pattern. These are the results as reported to ClinicalTrials.gov. They are not medical advice — always discuss what they mean for you with your doctor.

These are the results as reported to ClinicalTrials.gov, not medical advice. Verify independently with the trial site and discuss what they mean for you with your doctor.

Phase 2 Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Trial, Terminated

NCT02855164
Terminated Phase 2 🇦🇺 Australian site

Who may be able to join

AI generated eligibility summary. Written by an AI model from the official source data and checked on a sample basis. It can contain mistakes, so confirm anything important against the original source. How we use AI

Who might be able to join this trial:

  • You are 18 years old or older, male or female
  • You are willing and able to sign a written consent form to participate
  • For Parts A and B: You have been diagnosed with a specific type of liver disease called NASH (fatty liver with inflammation), confirmed by a liver biopsy taken within the last 2 years, with a moderate level of liver scarring (but not full cirrhosis), and no other long-term liver disease — plus either an elevated liver enzyme level (ALT), OR a combination of elevated ALT, higher body weight (BMI), and Type 2 diabetes
  • For Part C: You have NASH confirmed by a liver biopsy taken during the screening period or within the last 6 months, with a moderate level of liver scarring (but not full cirrhosis), and no other long-term liver disease
  • Your liver enzyme levels (ALT) are above a certain level: at least 43 IU/L if you are male, or at least 28 IU/L if you are female
  • Your liver contains 10% or more fat, as measured by an MRI scan

Who may not be able to join:

  • You have previously taken a medication called OCA (obeticholic acid)
  • You are currently taking certain medications that are not allowed in this trial
  • You are taking certain medications — such as diabetes medicines, insulin, beta-blockers, water pills, cholesterol medicines, vitamin E (above certain doses), thyroid hormones, some mental health medications, or estrogen-based contraceptives — and your dose has not been stable for at least 1 month before joining (confirm with trial site for Part C-specific timing requirements)
  • You are pregnant or currently breastfeeding
  • You have drunk significant amounts of alcohol for more than 3 months in a row at any point in the year before screening
  • Your diabetes is not well controlled
  • You have recently started (within the last 3 months) taking certain diabetes medications known as GLP-1 agonists, such as liraglutide, exenatide, or similar drugs
  • You have been diagnosed with cirrhosis (advanced liver scarring)
  • You have serious liver failure or your liver is not functioning properly
  • You have previously been diagnosed with another type of long-term liver disease
  • You are unable to have an MRI scan for any reason

Important: Always verify eligibility with the trial site directly before applying.

Based on publicly available eligibility criteria from ClinicalTrials.gov. Verify directly with the trial site before acting. This is not medical advice.

This is a simplified plain English summary of the eligibility criteria. Full criteria are set by the trial investigators and may include additional requirements not shown here. Never self-exclude from a trial based on this summary. Contact the trial site directly to confirm your eligibility.
Last synced 28 July 2026
Phase 2: approximately ~30% of drugs entering this phase reach regulatory approval, based on published industry-wide historical data. This is not specific to this trial.
Phase success rates shown are historical industry-wide averages based on published data. They are not a prediction for this specific trial or your individual situation.

Contact this trial

Australian sites

Novartis Investigative Site, Kingswood, New South Wales
Novartis Investigative Site, Fitzroy, Victoria

Contact details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Verify directly with the trial site before attending.

GP referral letter

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Trial details

Status
Terminated
Phase
Phase 2
Registry
ClinicalTrials.gov
Start date
1 August 2016
Est. completion
6 April 2020

Where this trial is recruiting

🇦🇷 Argentina 🇦🇺 Australia 🇦🇹 Austria 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇨🇦 Canada 🇫🇷 France 🇩🇪 Germany 🇮🇳 India 🇮🇹 Italy 🇯🇵 Japan 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇸🇬 Singapore 🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇰🇷 South Korea 🇪🇸 Spain 🇹🇼 Taiwan 🇺🇸 United States

2 site(s) in Australia. Confirm current status and contact details directly with the trial site.

Primary endpoints

Number of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) Patients With Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAE); Change in Transaminase Levels (ALT); Change in Aspartate Transaminase (AST); Change From Baseline in % of Fat in the Liver Assessed Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Can't join this trial?

Expanded access pathways

If this trial is not available to you, other access pathways may exist. In Australia, the TGA Special Access Scheme allows access to unapproved therapeutic goods for individual patients.

TGA Special Access Scheme information

Find other recruiting trials on ClinicalTrials.gov

Data last synced from ClinicalTrials.gov: 28 July 2026. Trial status can change. Always verify current status directly with the trial site before making any decision.

Trial recruitment status can change without notice between our nightly data updates. Always contact the trial site directly to confirm current recruitment status before making any decisions or travel arrangements.

View original record on ClinicalTrials.gov