icosabutate

Icosabutate (NST-1024) is an orally bioavailable, liver-targeted, structurally engineered fatty acid (SEFA) derived from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Developed by NorthSea Therapeutics, it is designed to treat metabolic and inflammatory liver diseases, primarily metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Unlike natural omega-3 fatty acids, icosabutate is engineered with an alpha-ethyl group to be more potent and resistant to beta-oxidation, allowing for higher sustained concentrations in the liver. Its mechanism of action involves the activation of G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120/FFAR4), which exerts anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing effects, and the inhibition of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), which reduces hepatic lipogenesis. In clinical trials, icosabutate has demonstrated significant reductions in liver enzymes, inflammatory markers, and fibrotic scores in patients with MASH.

Other names

2-ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid2-ethyl-EPA