Zack Kenz, Scientist II, discusses a collaborative project with Genentech.  The agonist anti-FGFR1/KLB bispecific antibody, BFKB8488A, has been shown to be effective at reducing liver fat in NAFLD patients in a Ph1b study [1]. However, FGFR1/KLB receptors are primarily expressed in adipose rather than liver, suggesting a role for adipokine mediators such as adiponectin (Adpn). Adpn levels have been shown to increase with BFKB8488A treatment. NAFLDsym, a QSP mechanistic, mathematical model of NAFLD and NASH, was employed to evaluate the plausibility of Adpn increases mediating the reduction in liver fat observed with BFKB8488A treatment.

This work was previously presented at the AASLD in 2019 and re-presented at SLP MIDD+ Virtual Conference March 3-4, 2021.