Unlocking the potential of epigenetic therapeutics to revolutionize medicine
DURECT harnesses epigenetic modulation to potentially treat serious and life-threatening conditions, including acute organ injury and cancer. Our unique approach targeting dysregulated DNA methylation has the potential to change the course of disease and improve patients’ lives.
Epigenetic Modulation
Many types of acute organ injuries and cancers are associated with dysregulation of the epigenome, such as DNA methylation. There is vast potential for epigenetic therapies to address the underlying pathophysiology by mitigating epigenomic dysregulation and helping to improve cellular function or suppress tumor growth.1-3
Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis (AH)
Our first epigenetic modulator, larsucosterol, may have the potential to save the lives of patients with AH and become a new standard of care based on outcomes from clinical trials to date.4,5 * AH is an acute form of liver disease that accounts for about 164,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. per year6, and about 30% of patients die within 90 days of hospitalization.7
*Larsucosterol has not been approved for any indication.
Clinical Trials
We have completed a Phase 2b study (AHFIRM) in subjects with severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH). The trial was conducted at more than 60 clinical trial sites across the U.S., EU, U.K., and Australia.
Partner with us
We welcome strategic partnerships to advance our collective goal to meaningfully impact patients’ lives and offer better therapeutic options.
Careers
Join our highly experienced, talented, and collaborative team as we strive to improve the course of human medicine with novel epigenetic therapies.
Press Releases
DURECT Corporation Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Provides Business Update
May 13, 2025, 16:05 ET Planning a registrational Phase 3 trial for larsucosterol in alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) with topline results expected within two years of
DURECT Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business Update
Mar 26, 2025, 16:05 ET Larsucosterol Phase 2b AHFIRM trial results published in NEJM Evidence in January 2025 Additional AHFIRM data presented in November 2024
References
- Argemi J, Latasa MU, Atkinson SR, et al. Defective HNF4alpha-dependent gene expression as a driver of hepatocellular failure in alcoholic hepatitis. Nat Commun. 2019;10(1):3126. doi:10.1038/s41467-019-11004-3
- Mazzone R, Zwergel C, Artico M, et al. The emerging role of epigenetics in human autoimmune disorders. Clin Epigenetics. 2019;11(1):34. doi:10.1186/s13148-019-0632-2
- Herman A, Occean JR, Sen P. Epigenetic dysregulation in cardiovascular aging and disease. J Cardiovasc Aging. 2021;1:10. doi:10.20517/jca.2021.16
- Hassanein T, McClain CJ, Vatsalya V, et al. Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Efficacy Signals of Larsucosterol (DUR-928) in Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2023;10.14309/ajg.0000000000002275.
- Company announcement: DURECT Corporation Announces Topline Results from Phase 2b AHFIRM Trial of Larsucosterol in Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis with Promising Effect on Mortality
- Data on file
- Hughes E, Hopkins LJ, Parker R. Correction: Survival from alcoholic hepatitis has not improved over time. PLoS One. 2018;13:e0195857.