azemiglitazone

Azemiglitazone (MSDC-0602K) is an oral, second-generation insulin sensitizer small molecule developed by Cirius Therapeutics for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), also known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). It functions as a modulator of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC), a protein complex in the inner mitochondrial membrane that regulates the entry of pyruvate into the mitochondria, thereby controlling nutrient flow and insulin response. Unlike first-generation thiazolidinediones (TZDs), azemiglitazone was specifically designed to have limited binding to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma), which is intended to provide an improved safety profile by reducing side effects such as weight gain and fluid retention while maintaining metabolic benefits. The drug has been evaluated in the Phase 2b EMMINENCE clinical trial for patients with biopsy-proven NASH and fibrosis.

Other names

azemiglitazone potassium