Allergan plc Ordinary Shares (NYSE:AGN) will be collaborating with Novartis AG (ADR)(NYSE:NVS) in its Phase IIb study. The pair will be evaluating the safety and efficacy of a combination of Allergan’s cenicriviroc (CVC) and Novartis lead Fxr agonist, which is used to treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The study will also be assessing the level of acceptability of this multi-therapy treatment.

NASH, the progressive outline of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) results from a buildup of fat in the liver, which apparently has no known cause. This is followed by an inflammation and in many cases, it can cause fibrosis of the liver. The end result is usually complications the likes of liver cancer, cirrhosis and liver failure among others.

Several companies are working on developing treatments for NASH

NASH is a multi-factorial disease, which does not have any approved treatments. However, several institutions like Conatus Pharmaceuticals, Galmed Pharmaceuticals’s Aramchol, and Intercept Pharmaceuticals have embraced the task of developing treatments.

Allergan is not only concentrating on CVC but it is also developing evogliptin and AGN-242266 programs. Chief Research & Development Officer, Allergan, David Nicholson says, “Collaboration with companies like Novartis will help us improve our understanding of the disease and deliver effective, high-value medicines for NASH patients.”

Some of Allergan’s notable and best-in-class products are in the line of central nervous system, women’s health, medical aesthetics and dermatology, eye care and urology. It has its presence in more than 100 countries with 70+ mid-to-late stage pipeline programs in development.

NASH is Allergan’s extension of its broad GI portfolio and it is a representation of some of the unmet medical needs. Records have it that NASH is one of the rampant causes of liver cancer and liver transplant in the U.S. In the meantime, Allergan’s stock closed at $237.94 witnessing an increase of $1.60 or 0.68%.