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Bausch Health to Acquire DURECT Corporation, Strengthening Commitment to Developing Innovative Solutions for Patients with Liver Disease
DURECT's lead asset, Larsucosterol, is an epigenetic modulator with FDA Breakthrough Therapy Desi...
About this update from Bausch Health Companies Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Bausch Health to Acquire DURECT Corporation, Strengthening Commitment to Developing Innovative Solutions for Patients with Liver DiseaseDURECT's lead asset, Larsucosterol, is an epigenetic modulator with FDA Breakthrough Therapy DesignationPotential to be the first FDA-approved therapeutic option for the treatment of patients with alcoholic hepatitisProposed acquisition strengthens Bausch Health's commitment to hepatology and patients suffering with liver disease complications globally LAVAL, QC AND CUPERTINO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 29, 2025 / Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC), a global, diversified pharmaceutical company, and DURECT Corporation (NASDAQ:DRRX) today announced a definitive agreement under which Bausch Health will indirectly acquire DURECT Corporation, including a novel therapeutic molecule, larsucosterol, which can harness the power of epigenetic modulation. Larsucosterol, an endogenous sulfated oxysterol and an epigenetic modulator, has demonstrated promising results for the treatment of alcoholic hepatitis (AH) in Phase 2 trials. Bausch Health's hepatology development and commercial capabilities are well-suited to support the clinical development and potential commercialization of larsucosterol.AH is a life-threatening form of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), which can occur in individuals who chronically misuse alcohol. It is characterized by severe inflammation and destruction of liver tissue (i.e., necrosis). AH accounted for roughly 164,000 hospital admissions in the U.S. in 2021. There is currently no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved treatment for AH, and novel therapeutic strategies are needed to improve patient survival.\"This announcement is fundamental progress on our Strategic Priority - Innovation, which is to intensify focus and operating rigor behind R&D and business development and demonstrates our commitment to hepatology and finding new ways to address unmet medical needs, living our purpose of enriching lives through our relentless drive to deliver better health outcomes for patients,\" said Thomas J. Appio, Chief Executive Officer, Bausch Health.\"There is a significant unmet need in the treatment of patients with AH given the high mortality rate and that there are no currently approved treatments. We are very excited ...