Bausch Health Adds Late-Stage Ready Alcohol Liver Disease Drug Candidate In $63 Million DURECT Buyout

Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC) on Tuesday agreed to indirectly acquire DURECT Corp (NASDAQ:DRRX), including a novel therapeutic molecule, larsucosterol.

Larsucosterol, an endogenous sulfated oxysterol and an epigenetic modulator, has demonstrated promising results for alcoholic hepatitis (AH) in Phase 2 trials.

Alcoholic hepatitis is a severe liver inflammation caused by excessive alcohol consumption. It is characterized by the rapid onset of jaundice and liver enlargement.

Bausch Health’s hepatology development and commercial capabilities are well-suited to support the clinical development and potential commercialization of larsucosterol.

The companies add that there is currently no Food and Drug Administration- or European Medicines Agency-approved treatment for AH.

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