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MASH (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) is a serious liver disease for which there is currently no treatment. In our MASH program, we are working on a novel mechanism of action and target protein, STK25, which is involved in fat deposition in liver and other tissues, inflammatory response and fibrosis in MASH. This gives us the opportunity to develop treatments that can slow down the progression of both early and late stages of MASLD (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease)/MASH, either as monotherapy or in combination with other MASH drugs.
The MASH program was out-licensed to LG Chem in 2019 and a preclinical in vivo proof-of-concept study was conducted in late 2022. The purpose of the study was to study the long-term effect of the new promising compounds developed in the program. The results showed a reduction in all the parameters used to diagnose MASH and also a reduction in fibrosis in the liver. The study was conducted in a well-established MASH model and was performed in an external European laboratory. Despite these promising results, LG Chem announced in May 2023 that it does not intend to continue the MASH program. The program therefore reverts to Sprint Bioscience, with no financial obligations to LG Chem.
In June 2025, a research collaboration with the Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC) in Singapore was initiated to expand the MASH program into inflammatory diseases. Any future revenues will be shared between Sprint Bioscience and EDDC based on how much each party has invested in the program.