Developing a new treatment for liver fibrosis in NASH

Candidate selection of a LPAR1 antagonist for therapeutic application in NASH

NIH-funded research Epigen Biosciences, INC. · NIH-10912752

This study is testing a new drug called EPGN2154 to see if it can help improve liver health for people with liver fibrosis caused by non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is often linked to obesity and type-2 diabetes.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEpigen Biosciences, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Diego, United States)
Project IDNIH-10912752 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating a new drug that targets the lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1) to treat liver fibrosis caused by non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a serious liver disease linked to obesity and type-2 diabetes. The researchers are testing a specific compound, EPGN2154, in animal models to see how well it can reduce liver damage and inflammation. By blocking certain cellular processes that lead to fibrosis, this treatment aims to improve liver health. The study also explores combining EPGN2154 with other drugs to enhance its effectiveness.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and related liver conditions.

Not a fit: Patients with liver diseases not related to NASH or those who do not have liver fibrosis may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new effective treatment for patients suffering from NASH and liver fibrosis.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in targeting LPAR1 for liver diseases, indicating that this approach may be effective.

Where this research is happening

San Diego, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.