Ocera Therapeutics Completes Phase 2B Enrollment in the ASTUTE Trial

The ASTUTE Trial Studies AST-120 for the Treatment of Patients with Liver Cirrhosis Suffering from Mild Hepatic Encephalopathy SAN DIEGO, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Ocera Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that the ASTUTE Study (AST-120 Used to Treat Hepatic Encephalopathy) has completed enrollment for its Phase 2B study ahead of schedule, with data expected mid 2010. AST-120 adsorbs ammonia and other gut derived toxins that factor prominently in the underlying cause of mild hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), a neurocognitive disorder present in a majority of patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Because MHE leads to a change in cognitive function including personality changes and intellectual impairment, the disorder has a profound negative impact on quality of life. MHE patients are at increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, losing their job and eventually hospitalization due to acute hepatic encephalopathy.

Read the full article at Biotechnology