Akero's NASH Treatment Fails, Stock Plummets

Shares of Akero Therapeutics (AKRO) and 89bio (ETNB) plummeted after Akero's liver-disease treatment failed to meet expectations in a midstage study. While the drug showed statistically significant results in resolving NASH, the improvement in liver scarring was not statistically significant. Despite this, analysts believe that the effectiveness data sets for both companies are strong, with 89bio potentially pulling ahead due to its dosing schedule and lower side effects. Akero shares fell 64% and 89bio shares tumbled 36.6% as a result of the news.