Axcella To Test NASH Candidate In Long COVID Patients

• Axcella Health Inc (NASDAQ: AXLA) has announced a new clinical program investigating AXA1125 as a potential treatment for patients with Long COVID. Symptoms last for months following recovery from the infection.

• The treatment prospect will be compared against placebo in about 40 patients in the U.K. twice a day for 28 days starting later this year.

• AXA1125 is meant to treat chronic fatigue and muscle weakness, some of the most common symptoms of long COVID.

• The primary goal of the drug is to improve mitochondrial function within skeletal muscle by measuring changes in phosphocreatine recovery time.

• The trial will also look at a six-minute walk test, fatigue levels, and the safety and tolerability of the oral drug.

• The biotech is already investigating the drug in a phase 2b study in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the most severe case of fatty liver disease.

• In preclinical studies and two clinical trials, AXA1125 showed the ability to restore homeostasis and mitochondrial function.

• Price Action: AXLA shares are down 1.71% at $2.75 during the market session on the last check Tuesday.

See more from Benzinga

• Click here for options trades from Benzinga

• Eli Lilly Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates, Boosts FY21 Guidance On Higher COVID-19 Therapy Sales

• 4D Molecular's Fabry Disease Candidate Shows Early Proof-Of-Concept

© 2021 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.