United States-based Gilead Sciences' GS-9674 has indicated significant improvements in liver biochemistry and markers of cholestasis in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis in a phase two trial, it was reported yesterday.

The product is an investigational, selective and non-steroidal agonist of the (FXR), which is a nuclear hormone receptor that is highly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract and liver.

The firm randomised GS-9674 100mg, GS-9674 30mg or placebo orally once daily for 12 weeks in the phase two double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. Patients securing GS-9674 100mg have indicated significant improvements in liver biochemistry tests after 12 weeks of treatment. According to the company, the GS-9674 was well tolerated and the incidence of grade two or three pruritus was numerically lower with GS-9674 100mg and 30mg compared with placebo.