A Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability & Efficacy of MSDC-0602K in Patients With NASH

This is a randomized, double-blinded study of three doses of MSDC-0602K or placebo given orally once daily to subjects with biopsy proven NASH with fibrosis and no cirrhosis. Visits to the clinic will be at baseline, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, with one 2- week follow-up visit.

Safety will be assessed by monitoring of vital signs, 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG), physical examinations, safety labs, and adverse events (AEs).

Selected Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult subjects 18 years of age or greater
• Histological evidence of NASH, based on biopsy, with a NAS (NASH CRN scoring) ≥ 4 with a score of at least 1 in each component of NAS.
• Histological evidence of liver fibrosis defined as NASH CRN System fibrosis score F1 to F3.
• Subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) must be under stable and reasonable control.
• Male and female subjects who are taking Vitamin E should be on a stable dose of Vitamin E (if ≥ 400 IU) for a period of at least 3 months prior to randomization.
• Females should be either postmenopausal (at least 12 months since last menses) or surgically sterilized (bilateral tubal ligation or hysterectomy). Males with female partners of child-bearing potential must agree to use adequate contraceptive methods (including a condom, plus one other form of contraception) if engaging in sexual intercourse.
• Willing and able to sign an informed consent document indicating understanding the purpose of and procedures required for the study and willingness to participate in the study.

Selected Exclusion Criteria:

• Known history of HIV.
• Prior liver transplantation.
• Other well-documented causes of active chronic liver disease.
• History of cirrhosis and/or hepatic decompensation including ascites, hepatic encephalopathy or variceal bleeding.
• History of alcohol abuse or drug abuse within 6 months of Screening.
• Type 1 diabetes mellitus.
• Current or history of recent (≤ 6 months) use of ursodeoxycholic acid.
• Use of concomitant medications with a known significant metabolism by CYP2C8 or CPY2C9.
• History of diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma within 6 months prior to randomization.
• History of heart failure (including CHF) or previous cardiovascular event (myocardial infarct, by-pass surgery, or PTCA) within the past 6 months prior to randomization.
• Blood pressure greater than 160/100 mmHg.
• Participation in an investigational study or received an investigational drug within 30 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) prior to study drug administration.
• Malignancy, including leukemia and lymphoma (excluding basal cell and squamous skin cell cancers and localized prostrate cancer) treated within the last 2 years.