Preclinical Study Unveils Promising New Drug Candidate for Severe Liver Fibrosis Treatment - Video

A single pill could reverse liver scarring and prevent cancer. McMaster University researchers have discovered a promising drug candidate, EVT0185, that not only stops but actually heals dangerous liver fibrosis—the scar tissue buildup that leads to liver cancer. Published in Cell Metabolism (Jan 2026), these preclinical studies fill a massive gap: Canada has zero approved drugs for MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), the obesity/diabetes-driven liver disease affecting millions.

MASH creates fat buildup that scars the liver, often progressing to cancer, heart attacks, strokes, or transplant. Current treatments? Just diet and exercise recommendations that rarely reverse damage. Two new US/EU drugs help only 33% of patients. EVT0185 changes everything.

Led by Dr. Greg Steinberg (McMaster professor, Espervita co-founder), international teams used advanced disease models mimicking human MASH. They tracked the drug's effects on liver tissue, blood markers, and metabolic health across multiple animal systems.

EVT0185 simultaneously blocks two enzymes controlling fat production and fat burning. This creates Steinberg's "carbon release valve"—excess fat and harmful buildup flush out via urine instead of scarring the liver.

Key Findings:

• Reversed existing fibrosis (unlike current treatments)

• Controlled blood sugar levels

• Lowered cholesterol significantly

• Destroyed liver fat accumulation

• Potential to prevent liver cancer

Think of your liver as a clogged drain. EVT0185 unclogs it by stopping fat factories (ACLY) and fat storage (ACSS2), then flushes debris through urine. No surgery, no transplant—just one pill.

Targets the root cause in obesity/diabetes patients where MASH explodes. Could prevent cancer, diabetes complications, and heart disease simultaneously. Human trials needed, but preclinical data screams potential blockbuster.

Human trials imminent. If successful, EVT0185 becomes first-in-class MASH reversal therapy. For millions with fatty liver disease, one pill might replace years of ineffective lifestyle advice and looming transplant lists.

REFERENCE: Pastena, F. D., et al. (2026). Dual inhibition of ACLY and ACSS2 by EVT0185 reduces steatosis, hepatic stellate cell activation, and fibrosis in mouse models of MASH. Cell Metabolism DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2025.11.015. https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(25)00529-7