GSK’s Linerixibat Shows Success in Treating Relentless Itch in Late-Stage Trial

Breakthrough in Itch Treatment for Autoimmune Disease

GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) announced on Tuesday that its experimental drug, linerixibat, successfully met its primary endpoint in a late-stage trial aimed at treating cholestatic pruritus, also known as relentless itch. This condition is commonly associated with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a rare autoimmune liver disease that can lead to liver failure.

The trial results showed that linerixibat significantly improved the severity of itch in patients when compared to a placebo.

Impact of Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)

Primary biliary cholangitis is an autoimmune disease where the bile ducts in the liver become damaged, leading to a buildup of bile and eventual liver dysfunction. Relentless itch is one of the most debilitating symptoms, affecting the quality of life of those with the condition. Linerixibat’s success in reducing this symptom offers hope for PBC patients who currently have limited treatment options for managing their itching.

Next Steps for GSK

Following the success of this phase, GSK plans to discuss the data with regulatory agencies to determine the next steps toward potential approval.