AZD2389

AZD2389 is an orally available small molecule drug developed by AstraZeneca. It acts as a potent inhibitor of fibroblast activation protein (FAP), a serine protease implicated in tissue remodeling and fibrosis. By inhibiting FAP, AZD2389 aims to prevent the cleavage of key proteins such as FGF21 and α2-antiplasmin (α2-AP), which are involved in metabolic dysfunction and fibrotic processes. The drug is being investigated primarily for the treatment of liver diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, also known as NASH) with fibrosis and compensated cirrhosis. Preclinical studies have shown that AZD2389 improves liver fibrosis and MASH in animal models[3][4][6]. Clinical trials are ongoing to assess its safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics in both healthy volunteers and patients with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis[1][2][5][7].