Which hospital has the original drug for obeticholic acid?

Trade nameObeticholic acid represented by Ocaliva is an innovative semi-synthetic bile acid analog. Its unique chemical structure, 6α-ethylchenodeoxycholic acid, gives it unique pharmacological effects. The drug has shown therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of primary cholangitis (PBC).

Obeeticholic acid is not only the first FXR agonist to be studied in humans but its ability to activate FXR-dependent processes in the liver and intestines provides new ideas for treating a variety of human diseases. Obeticholic acid especially plays an important role in the treatment of primary cholangitis. Obeticholic acid provides an effective alternative therapy for adult PBC patients who have an inadequate response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy or who are intolerant to UDCA. Obeticholic acid reduces bile acid synthesis, inhibits inflammation and slows down the resulting liver fibrosis by activating FXR. This mechanism of action brings new therapeutic hope to patients with primary cholangitis and may improve their survival rates.

In addition, obeticholic acid has shown potential in treating fibrosis caused by non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering the use of obeticholic acid in this field, but has not yet formally approved it. With the deepening of research and further development of clinical trials, obeticholic acid will bring good news to more patients in the future.

As for the original drug of obeticholic acid, no hospital in China currently provides it directly. Obeticholic acid was first developed by Intercept and was approved by the FDA in June 2016. Subsequently, the drug was also approved in the European Union, Canada, Australia and other countries. However, in the country, the original drug of obeticholic acid has not yet been launched.