Larsucosterol sodium is a small molecule commercialized by DURECT, with a leading Phase II program in Alcoholic Hepatitis. According to Globaldata, it is involved in 18 clinical trials, of which 14 were completed, 2 are ongoing, and 2 were terminated. GlobalData uses proprietary data and analytics to provide a complete picture of Larsucosterol sodium’s valuation in its risk-adjusted NPV model (rNPV). Buy the model here.

The revenue for Larsucosterol sodium is expected to reach an annual total of $41 mn by 2033 globally based off GlobalData’s Expiry Model. The drug’s revenue forecasts along with estimated costs are used to measure the value of an investment opportunity in that drug, otherwise known as net present value (NPV). Applying the drug’s phase transition success rate to remaining R&D costs and likelihood of approval (LoA) to sales related costs provides a risk-adjusted NPV model (rNPV). The rNPV model is a more conservative valuation measure that accounts for the risk of a drug in clinical development failing to progress.

Larsucosterol sodium Overview

DUR-928 (DV-928) is under development for the treatment of alcoholic hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH), alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury (AKI). It is a small molecule and new chemical entity (NCE). The drug candidate is formulated as both solution and suspension and is administered through oral, intralesional, intramuscular injection and topical routes. The drug candidate is a sulfated oxysterol. It acts by targeting DNMTs, DNMT-1, 3a and 3b. 

It was under development for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and for mild to moderate plaque psoriasis and inflammatory skin conditions like atopic dermatitis. It was also under development for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with acute pneumonia, lung injury, liver or kidney injury.

DURECT Overview

DURECT is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the research and development of new chemical entities for the treatment of acute organ injury and chronic liver diseases based on its endogenous epigenetic regulator program. The company’s major product pipeline comprises DUR-928, indicated for the treatment of alcoholic hepatitis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); Posimir, indicated to treat post-operative pain; and Oradur, indicated for chronic pain and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders. It also manufactures and sells osmotic pumps for laboratory research; and offers standard and custom biodegradable polymers and excipients for customers in pharmaceutical and medical device industry. The company operates in the US, Europe, Japan and other countries. DURECT is headquartered in Cupertino, California, the US.

The company reported revenues of (US Dollars) US$14 million for the fiscal year ended December 2021 (FY2021), a decrease of 53.6% over FY2020. The operating loss of the company was US$34.3 million in FY2021, compared to an operating loss of US$12.6 million in FY2020. The net loss of the company was US$36.3 million in FY2021, compared to a net loss of US$0.6 million in FY2020. The company reported revenues of US$12 million for the third quarter ended September 2022, compared to a revenue of US$2.1 million the previous quarter.

For a complete picture of Larsucosterol sodium’s valuation, buy the drug’s risk-adjusted NPV model (rNPV) here.

GlobalData

GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

To create this model, GlobalData takes into account factors including patent law, known and projected regulatory approval processes, cash flows, drug margins and company expenses. Combining these data points with GlobalData’s world class analysis creates high value models that companies can use to help in evaluation processes for each drug or company.

The rNPV method integrates the probability of a drug reaching a clinical stage into the cash flow at that time, which provides a more accurate valuation, as it considers the probability that the drug never makes it through the clinical pathway to commercialization. GlobalData’s rNPV model uses proprietary likelihood of approval (LoA) and phase transition success rate (PTSR) data for the indication in the highest development stage, which can be found on GlobalData’s Pharmaceutical Intelligence Center.