Elafibranor: First Approval

Drugs. 2024 Sep;84(9):1143-1148. doi: 10.1007/s40265-024-02075-8. Epub 2024 Aug 7.

Abstract

Elafibranor (IQIRVO®) is a first-in-class peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist being developed by Ipsen, under license from Genfit, for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). On 10 June 2024, elafibranor received accelerated approval based on reduction of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the USA for the treatment of PBC in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in adults who have an inadequate response to UDCA, or as monotherapy in patients unable to tolerate UDCA. Elafibranor has also received a positive opinion in the EU. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of elafibranor leading to this first approval for PBC.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Chalcones
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / drug therapy
  • Drug Approval*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary* / drug therapy
  • Nitriles / pharmacology
  • Nitriles / therapeutic use
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / agonists
  • Propionates
  • United States
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid* / pharmacology
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid
  • 2-(2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-(4-(methylthio)phenyl)-3-oxo-1-propenyl)phenoxyl)-2-methylpropanoic acid
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • Nitriles
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors
  • Propionates
  • Chalcones