Exploratory Study to Assess the Short Term Effect on Liver Enzymes and the Safety of TRO19622 in Patients With Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

The purpose of this study is to assess the safety, the tolerability and the short term effect on liver enzymes of TRO19622 500 mg for one month in patients with Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH).


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult subjects older than 18 years.
* Persistent ALT elevation (\> 2 times the ULN of the local laboratory of the investigating site) over 6 months prior to entry into study.

  * No more than one ALT value within the normal range in the past year.
  * Patients must have had an ALT measurement at least once every 6 months within the year before inclusion.
* Histologically confirmed diagnosis of steatohepatitis on biopsy within 2 years prior to entry into protocol.
* Compensated liver disease with the following hematologic, biochemical, and serological criteria on entry into protocol:

  * Hemoglobin \> 11 gm/dL for females and \> 12 gm/dL for males
  * White blood cell (WBC) \> 2.5 K/UL
  * Neutrophil count \> 1.5 K/UL
  * Platelets \> 100 K/UL
  * Total bilirubin \< 35 µmol/L)
  * Albumin \> 36 g/L
  * TP \> 80% .
  * Serum creatinine within normal limits
* No other cause of chronic liver disease (autoimmune,primary biliary cirrhosis, HBV, Wilson, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficit, hemochromatosis etc\\dots )
* If applicable, have a stable diabetes, defined as HbA1c \< 9% and fasting glycemia \< 10 mmol/L,no changes in medication in the previous 6 months, and no new symptoms associated with diabetes in the previous 3 months.
* If applicable have a stable metabolic condition (diagnosis made at least 6 months before inclusion), without major weight or laboratory tests changes.
* Negative pregnancy test or post menopausal.
* Have an electrocardiogram (ECG) without any clinically significant abnormality.
* Subjects must be willing to give written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Evidence of another form of liver disease.
* History of excess alcohol ingestion: daily alcohol consumption \>30 g/day (3 drinks per day) for males and \>20 g/day (2 drinks/day) for females.
* Unstable metabolic condition: Weight change \> +/- 10% in the previous year, diabetes with poor glycemic control (HbA1c \>9%),introduction of an antidiabetic or of an anti-obesity drug in the past 6 months prior to screening.
* History of gastrointestinal bypass surgery or ingestion of drugs known to produce hepatic steatosis including corticosteroids,high-dose estrogens, methotrexate, tetracycline or amiodarone in the previous 6 months.
* Significant systemic or major illnesses other than liver disease,including congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, pulmonary disease, renal failure, organ transplantation, serious psychiatric disease,malignancy that, in the opinion of the investigator would preclude treatment with TRO19622 and/or adequate follow up.
* HIV infection.
* Active substance abuse, such as inhaled or injection drugs within the previous year.
* Pregnancy or inability to practice adequate contraception in women of child-bearing potential.
* Active malignancy except cutaneous basocellular carcinoma.
* Any other condition which, in the opinion of the investigator would impede competence or compliance or possibly hinder completion of the study.
* Body mass index (BMI) \>40 kg/m2 (obesity Grade III).
* Type 1 diabetes or Insulin-treated type 2 diabetes.
* Hemostasis disorders or current treatment with anticoagulants.
* History of, or current cardiac dysrhythmias and / or a history of cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction, except patients with only well controlled hypertension.
* Participation in any other investigational drug or therapy study within the previous 3 months.
* Be possibly dependent on the Investigator or the Sponsor (eg, including, but not limited to, affiliated employee).
* Medications that could interfere with TRO19622 absorption