A Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, PK, and PD of HP515 in Non - Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ( NASH/MASH )

This study is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase IIa clinical trial conducted in participants with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The trial includes a screening period (D-28 to D-1), a treatment period (Week 1 to Week 12), and a safety follow-up period (Week 13 to Week 16).

Eligible participants are randomized based on stratification factors \[D1 body weight <80 kg vs ≥80 kg]. Participants with body weight <80 kg are randomized in a 2:2:1 ratio to HP515 40 mg group, HP515 50 mg group, and placebo group. Participants with body weight ≥80 kg are randomized in a 2:1 ratio to HP515 60 mg group and placebo group. Each HP515 group enrolls 20 participants, totaling 60 participants, and the placebo group enrolls 20 participants, with a total of 80 participants enrolled.

All participants receive 12 weeks of medication, and the entire study process includes evaluation of efficacy and safety for all participants, as well as evaluation of targeted biomarkers.

All participants provided Pop-PK blood samples on an empty stomach before morning dosing at the end of Weeks 2, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Intensive blood sampling was performed for all participants completing 4 weeks of treatment or withdrawing early before the end of Week 4. Participants who completed the early withdrawal visit after at least 1 week of continuous dosing and did not discontinue medication prior to the in-person visit were encouraged to complete intensive PK sampling. ≥MRI-PDFF and FibroScan examinations were performed during the screening period, at 12 weeks of treatment, and at early withdrawal visits (requiring a minimum of 6 weeks of medication duration). Participants who completed 12 weeks of treatment completed the treatment phase, while those who completed the 16-week safety follow-up completed the trial.

Inclusion criteria

• Participants must voluntarily sign the informed consent form before the trial and fully understand the trial content, process, and possible adverse reactions.
• Participants must be aged between 18 and 65 years old, including those at the borderline age.
• At the screening stage, the liver fat fraction must be ≥ 10%
• Female participants must not donate eggs from the start of the screening until the end of the study and within 28 days after discontinuing the study drug; male participants must not donate sperm from the start of the screening until the end of the study and within 28 days after discontinuing the study drug.
• Participants must agree to use contraception during the study period and for the next 6 months after the last administration of the study drug, and must agree to continuously use effective contraceptive measures.

Exclusion criteria

• The participants have known or suspected allergic reactions
• Liver biopsy indicates cirrhosis or the participant has been clinically diagnosed with cirrhosis
• Type 1 diabetic patients or those with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (HbA1c ≥ 8.0%);
• Suspected other liver and gallbladder diseases through medical history and laboratory tests, which, based on the investigator's judgment, may affect safety or efficacy evaluation
• Any abnormality in thyroid function tests with clinical significance or a previous history of thyroid disease
• Within the previous 1 year, had myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, coronary artery bypass surgery, cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage or transient ischemic attack, or other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events that led to hospitalization;
• History of liver transplantation or planning to undergo liver transplantation;
• Had significant changes in diet or exercise habits in the past 2 months or a weight change of more than 5%;
• Participants who used drugs that changed the activity of CYP2C8 of liver enzymes within 4 weeks or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer), including strong inhibitors and inducers of liver metabolic enzymes;
• Pregnant or lactating women;
• Participants with contraindications to MRI scans;
• Participants judged by the investigator to be unsuitable for participation in the study.