Sagimet Biosciences Inc.

Sagimet Biosciences Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics called fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitors. These inhibitors target dysfunctional metabolic and fibrotic pathways in diseases caused by the overproduction of the fatty acid, palmitate. The company's lead drug candidate is denifanstat, an oral, once-daily pill and selective FASN inhibitor. Denifanstat is currently in development for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), acne, and select forms of cancer. Sagimet Biosciences Inc. also has a second FASN inhibitor, TVB-3567, which is a potent and selective small molecule FASN inhibitor in development for acne. The company's FASN inhibitors aim to address MASH, an aggressive form of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), characterized by excess fat buildup in the liver unrelated to alcohol consumption. A 2023 study indicated MASH affected over 265 million people worldwide in 2019. Denifanstat targets multiple drivers of MASH by reducing steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. In the Phase 2b FASCINATE-2 clinical trial, denifanstat met all primary and multiple secondary endpoints in 168 biopsy-confirmed MASH patients with stage F2 or F3 fibrosis compared to placebo at week 52. Topline results were announced in January 2024, and trial results were published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology in October 2024.