RIBOLIFE-B has announced the achievement of the first candidate drug selection milestone in its siRNA collaboration project with Madrigal Pharmaceuticals.

This partnership is focused on advancing cutting-edge RNA-based therapies for liver diseases, with a primary emphasis on treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

This milestone marks the successful outcome of efficient cooperation between the two parties, and will be followed immediately by the initiation of Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies to support subsequent clinical research.

MASH is a serious liver condition that can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer, necessitating liver transplantation, and leading to premature death.

It is the leading cause of liver transplantation in women, the second most common reason for all liver transplants in the United States, and the fastest-growing indication for liver transplantation in Europe, affecting over 200 million people worldwide.

RIBOLIFE-B (ASX: 06938) and Madrigal aim to leverage the company's validated liver-targeting RiboGalSTARTM platform to develop promising siRNA drugs, aiming to provide more targeted and effective treatment options for MASH patients, who represent a significant unmet medical need.