Barcelona Liver Bioservices enters into partnership with Novo Nordisk

[Barcelona, April 17th 2024] Barcelona Liver Bioservices (BLB) is pleased to announce a non-exclusive partnership with the global healthcare company Novo Nordisk aimed at characterizing the effects of novel chemical entities developed by Novo Nordisk for the treatment of chronic liver disease.

Chronic liver disease, along with its primary non-neoplastic complication, portal hypertension, stands as a significant global health challenge, marked by its high prevalence, leading cause of mortality, and economic burden. Despite these pressing concerns, safe and effective treatments remain elusive.

Under the terms of the agreement, BLB will leverage its diverse proprietary models of liver disease to explore the efficacy and underlying molecular mechanisms of Novo Nordisk’s best-in-class compounds, positioning them as potential treatments for chronic liver disease and portal hypertension.

Jordi Gracia-Sancho, Chief Scientific Officer at BLB, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “Novo Nordisk has recognized the quality and usefulness of our pre-clinical solutions to accelerate the development of new therapeutics for liver diseases. We are keen on this new collaboration and the potential it holds to make a meaningful impact on liver disease management”.

This partnership represents a significant step forward in the quest to address the unmet medical needs of individuals suffering from chronic liver disease and portal hypertension. By combining expertise and resources, BLB and Novo Nordisk aim to bring innovative treatments closer to reality, offering hope to millions worldwide.

BLB provides valuable insights into complex disease pathways and drug responses in a more meaningful liver disease context. BLB specializes in in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro models of liver disease, including hepatic hemodynamics, histology, imaging, molecular biology, advanced cell culture systems and bioinformatics. For more information about the services and research developed by BLB please visit www.liver.barcelona

/by

Barcelona Liver Bioservices announces presentation at AASLD Meeting about the effects of targeting the LPA pathway in preclinical models of advanced chronic liver disease

[Boston, Nov 11th 2023] — Barcelona Liver Bioservices, a leading research and development company specializing in liver disease studies, in collaboration with Gilead Sciences, a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing innovative therapies, is excited to announce the results of an original study that showcases the potential of targeting the LPA pathway in the treatment of advanced chronic liver disease. The results of this research study will be presented today as poster 2456-C, during the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Chronic liver disease affects millions of people worldwide, leading to severe health complications and limited therapeutic options. With this in mind, Barcelona Liver Bioservices and Gilead Sciences embarked on a collaborative research endeavor to investigate the Lysophosphatidic Acid (LPA) pathway’s role in advanced chronic liver disease and its potential as a therapeutic target.

The study, which involved preclinical models mimicking advanced chronic liver disease, revealed remarkable findings, including:

1. Significant improvement in portal hypertension and fibrosis: Targeting the LPA pathway led to a substantial improvement in liver microcirculatory function, with a reduction in portal pressure and liver fibrosis and inflammation.

2. Reduced inflammation and oxidative stress: The therapy targeting the LPA pathway also demonstrated a notable reduction in inflammatory and oxidative markers.

3. Improved sinusoidal cells phenotype: Inhibition of the LPA pathway promoted amelioration in the phenotype and function of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatic stellate cells.

Commenting on the study’s results, Prof Jordi Gracia-Sancho, CSO of Barcelona Liver Bioservices, said, “We are thrilled to reveal the potential of targeting the LPA pathway in models of advanced chronic liver disease. This discovery has the power to transform the landscape of liver disease treatment and provide hope to millions of individuals suffering from this condition.”

About Barcelona Liver Bioservices:

Barcelona Liver Bioservices is a leading research and development company specializing in liver disease studies. The organization is dedicated to advancing our understanding of liver diseases and developing innovative research models to ultimately improve the lives of patients worldwide. For more info: www.liver.barcelona 

Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially. Please refer to the companies’ official documents and statements for the most accurate information.

/by

Barcelona Liver Bioservices at the International Workshop on Liver & Gut Fibrosis

Barcelona Liver Bioservices is excited to announce its active participation in the 2nd edition of the International Workshop on Liver and Gut Fibrosis, held in Valencia on 26 & 27 October 2023. This year, we are honored to present two unique posters that exemplify our commitment to advancing the understanding and treatment of liver fibrosis.

Study 1: Unveiling the impact of GTX-011 in human precision cut liver slices.

Our first poster shines a spotlight on our groundbreaking research investigating the effects of GTX-011 in liver tissues. GTX-011, a novel therapeutic agent developed by our partner GAT Therapeutics, has demonstrated promising potential in the treatment of liver fibrosis. Our research delves into the molecular and cellular changes induced by GTX-011, offering insights into its mechanism of action.

Our findings not only elucidate the efficacy of GTX-011 but also provide a critical step toward the development of more effective treatments for liver fibrosis. The study combines the use of PCLS together with advanced bioinformatic analysis.

Study 2: Exploring the impact of gender in chronic liver disease pathophysiology

Our second poster investigates a vital yet often overlooked aspect of chronic liver disease pathophysiology – the role of sex. Sex-related differences in the progression and outcome of liver diseases have long been recognized, and our research sheds light on these differences. We examine how sex influences disease development, progression, and therapeutic responses.

Understanding the impact of sex in liver disease pathophysiology is a key step toward more personalized and effective medical interventions. The insights gleaned from this research may ultimately lead to tailored treatment strategies that consider sex-based differences, enhancing the care and outcomes of patients with chronic liver diseases.

Barcelona Liver Bioservices is honored to present two significant studies at the International Workshop on Gut and Liver Fibrosis. Our tireless dedication to advancing liver fibrosis research and improving patient care is evident in the diverse and groundbreaking studies we showcase. We eagerly anticipate engaging with experts, exchanging insights, and forging collaborations that will drive progress in our ongoing battle against liver fibrosis. Watch this space for further updates as we continue to make impactful strides in the field of liver research.

/by

Barcelona Liver Bioservices announces presentation at the EASL Liver Congress 2023

Barcelona Liver Bioservices (BLB), CRO especially focused on the field of Hepatology, announced today the presentation of an original communication at The EASL Congress held in Vienna and organized by the European Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (EASL).

Poster #WED-524 “GTX-011 improves fibrosis and hepatic stellate cells phenotype in human precision cut liver slices” will be presented from 13:00 – 14:30h by Prof Dr Jordi Gracia-Sancho, co-founder and CSO of BLB. The study assesses the effects of GTX-011, a first-in-class drug with anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties mediated by the inhibition of the TGFβ pathway, in Precision-Cut Liver Slices (PCLS) from human liver tissues. PCLS represent a unique 3D ex vivo model that preserves the structure and cellular composition of the liver, constituting an intermediate step between pre-clinical and clinical research.

The results of this study revealed that treatment of human liver slices with GTX-011 promoted hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) de-activation and inhibition of pro-fibrogenic pathways. Furthermore, gene deconvolution analysis was performed combining our transcriptomic data with previously published single-cell RNAseq data, in order to better understand the changes in the phenotype of each liver cell type in response to treatment. This advanced bioinformatic analysis confirmed the effects of GTX-011 on HSCs, promoting their de-activation compared to vehicle-treated tissues. 

For more information about the company and available research services, including liver-on-a-chip technology, human PCLS, preclinical models of liver diseases, and refined bioinformatic analysis, among others, please visit www.liver.barcelona

/by

Barcelona Liver Bioservices announces presentation at the AASLD Liver Meeting 2021.

Barcelona Liver Bioservices (BLB) announced today the presentation of an original communication at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of the Liver (AASLD), held as The Liver Meeting Digitial Experience.

Poster #1914 “GTX-011 improves portal hypertension, liver fibrosis and endothelial dysfunction in a rat model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis” will be presented by Zoe Boyer, Senior Associate Scientist at BLB. The study, fruit of the collaboration between BLB and GAT Therapeutics, describes for the first time the effects of the novel non-steroidal modulator of 3C nuclear receptors GTX-011 in a pre-clinical model of NASH. Results of the study show that rats receiving GTX-011 exhibited significant improvement in portal hypertension, considered the most detrimental complication of advanced liver disease. Underlying mechanisms of this hemodynamic improvement included amelioration of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (showing improved vasodilator and anti-inflammatory mediators), together with amelioration in the metabolic profile (reduced FFA and insulin resistance). Importantly, GTX-011 administration led to partial de-activation of hepatic stellate cells. “We are glad to describe in detail the benefits of this compound in a pre-clinical model of NASH that particularly recapitulates the main pathophysiological features and transcriptome de-regulations of the human disease”, stated Dr Gracia-Sancho, co-founder and CSO of BLB.

Barcelona Liver Bioservices is a CRO focused on the design and development of pre-clinical research in the field of Hepatology. For more information about the company, our publications and available research services please visit www.liver.barcelona

/by

Latest BLB research published in the Journal of Hepatology

Barcelona Liver Bioservices (BLB), CRO specialized in liver diseases, announced today the publication of the manuscript entitled “The pan-PPAR agonist lanifibranor improves portal hypertension and hepatic fibrosis in experimental advanced chronic liver disease” in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Journal of Hepatology. The study describes the pre-clinical research developed in collaboration with Inventiva, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapies for the treatment of NASH and other diseases with unmet medical need.

“The study demonstrates the beneficial effects of the pan-PPAR agonist lanifibranor improving the phenotype of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, hepatic stellate cells and hepatic macrophages, which ultimately lead to reduction in portal pressure and hepatic fibrosis. Data derives from two pre-clinical models of advanced chronic liver disease and human primary cells cultured in the ExoLiver® platform” summarize Zoe Boyer-Díaz and Peio Aristu-Zabalza, Associate Scientists at BLB and co-first authors of the manuscript. “Considering the lack of treatments for advanced chronic liver disease, and its most deleterious complication portal hypertension, the findings included in this manuscript shed light on the way to develop novel therapies for patients with chronic hepatopathies” added Dr Jordi Gracia-Sancho, CSO and co-founder of BLB.

“We are very pleased to see our latest preclinical results on lanifibranor for the treatment of cirrhosis published in the renowned Journal of Hepatology. This scientific paper, smartly developed by BLB, clearly illustrates that lanifibranor significantly improves key features of this severe disease. These beneficial effects are based on lanifibranor’s capacity to target all three PPAR isoforms concomitantly” stated Pierre Broqua, CSO and co-founder of Inventiva.

View full article

Barcelona Liver Bioservices is a CRO focused on the design and development of pre-clinical research in the field of Liver Diseases. The company offers cutting-edge research services and consulting to foster the development of new therapeutics for liver diseases, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis.

/by

Barcelona Liver Bioservices announces collaboration with Surrozen

Barcelona Liver Bioservices, CRO specialized in the design and development of pre-clinical studies in the field of liver diseases, announced today a non-exclusive collaboration with Surrozen, a biotech company developing tissue-specific antibodies that have the potential to regenerate tissue in situations of serious diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, BLB will provide cutting-edge research services to enhance the characterization of regenerative pathways in chronic liver disease.

BLB aims at providing valuable insights into complex disease pathways and drug responses in a more meaningful liver disease pre-clinical context. For more information please visit www.liver.barcelona

/by

Barcelona Liver Bioservices announces collaboration with GAT Therapeutics

Barcelona Liver Bioservices, CRO specialized in the design and development of pre-clinical studies in the field of liver diseases, announced today a non-exclusive collaboration with GAT Therapeutics, an early stage biopharma targeting fibrosis and age-related diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, BLB will deeply characterize the effects of GATTx’s lead compound GTX-011 on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The research plan incorporates different BLB’s proprietary methods & technology, including the BarNa model®, unique pre-clinical model of NASH that mimics key pathophysiological and transcriptomic features of the human disease, and the exclusive ExoLiver® platform, BLB’s advanced model of human liver disease.

BLB aims at providing valuable insights into complex disease pathways and drug responses in a more meaningful liver disease pre-clinical context. For more information please visit www.liver.barcelona

/by

Barcelona Liver Bioservices announces presentations at the AASLD Liver Meeting 2019

Barcelona Liver Bioservices (BLB) announced today the presentation of two communications at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of the Liver (AASLD), held in Boston, Massachusetts.

Oral communication #0063 “The pan-PPAR agonist lanifibranor improves portal hypertension and hepatic fibrosis in experimental advanced chronic liver disease” will be presented by Dr Jordi Gracia-Sancho, CEO & CSO of BLB, on Sunday November 10th at 11:00h at the Hynes Auditorium. The study, fruit of the collaboration between BLB and Inventiva, describes for the first time the effects of the pan-PPAR agonist lanifibranor in a pre-clinical model of advanced cirrhosis. Results of the study show that rats receiving lanifibranor exhibited significant improvement in portal hypertension, which was associated with reduction in intrahepatic vascular resistance. Underlying mechanisms of this hemodynamic improvement included amelioration of hepatic stellate cells (which displayed normalization of several cell activation markers) and liver sinusoidal cells (showing improvement in capillarization markers and increment in fenestrae porosity). Importantly, lanifibranor administration led to partial regression of liver fibrosis. “We are glad to describe in detail the benefits of this compound in a pre-clinical model of advanced chronic liver disease, which supports further inhouse research using ExoLiver®: BLB’s proprietary drug-discovery platform that mimics the human sinusoid in vitro”, stated Dr Gracia-Sancho.

Poster #2116 “Hepatic fatty acid profile in chronic liver disease: mechanism of injury and novel therapeutic target” will be displayed on Monday 11th from 8:00 – 17:30h and presented by Zoe Boyer, Senior Associate Scientist at BLB. The study characterized the hepatic fatty acid de-regulation that may occur in advanced chronic liver disease, and investigated the possible therapeutic benefit of administering a nutraceutical rich in docosahexaenoic acid triglycerides (DHA) as a possible approach to re-establish a healthy lipid profile. The results of this project, which was performed in collaboration with BrudyLab, revealed that rats with cirrhosis exhibited a profoundly deregulated liver fatty acid profile, both structurally and enzymatically, indicating that chronic liver injury increases de novo lipogenesis in the liver and alters fatty acid metabolism, pathways that are recognized as important contributors to the development of metabolic disorders. Interestingly, when treated with BrudyLab-DHA, cirrhotic animals presented a remarkable improvement in their hepatic fatty acid composition, reaching values comparable to those of healthy animals.

Barcelona Liver Bioservices Team will be in Boston during the entire AASLD meeting. Please contact us to set up a private meeting to discuss how BLB can assist you to foster the development of new therapeutics for liver disease, including NASH and cirrhosis.

/by

A nutraceutical rich in DHA improves portal hypertension in cirrhosis

Barcelona Liver Bioservices announced today the publication of the manuscript entitled “A nutraceutical rich in docosahexaenoic acid improves portal hypertension in a preclinical model of advanced chronic liver disease” in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients.

Barcelona Liver Bioservices (BLB), CRO specialized in liver diseases, announced today the publication of the manuscript entitled “A nutraceutical rich in docosahexaenoic acid improves portal hypertension in a preclinical model of advanced chronic liver disease” in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients. The study describes the pre-clinical research developed in collaboration with BrudyLab, biotech company specialized in the development and commercialization of molecules derived from omega-3 fatty acid.

“The study demonstrates the beneficial effects of BrudyLab’s unique DHA formulation improving the hepatic fatty acid profile, portal pressure, inflammation and hepatic stellate cells phenotype in pre-clinical models of advanced chronic liver disease” summarizes Zoe Boyer, Associate Scientist at BLB and first author of the manuscript.

According to BLB & BrudyLab partnership, both entities will continue working together to further understand the underlying mechanisms of Brudy’s patent-protected compound while exploring possibilities to offer it to patients with chronic liver disease. “We very much look forward to continuing working with BrudyLab, due to its antioxidant properties their DHA formulation has high potential as nutraceutical supplement for liver diseases. Particularly, its benefits on fatty acid profile, inflammation and portal hypertension suggest high applicability for the treatment of NASH” stated Dr Jaime Bosch, vice-president of clinical research at BLB.

View full article

For more information about the company, current partners and available research services please visit www.liver.barcelona

/by