The Zydus group will be making an oral presentation on Saroglitazar, a novel compound under development for treatment in Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), at the Keystone Symposium on Liver Metabolism and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) to be held from March 22nd to 27th, 2015 at Fairmont Chateau Whistler in Whistler, British Columbia.

Saroglitazar demonstrated good efficacy in animal models of NASH, along with associated biomarkers. It has reduced hepatic steatosis, ballooning, inflammation and fibrosis in liver. Further, the recently completed phase 2 studies of Saroglitazar in patients with biopsy proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, have shown improvement in both liver enzymes along with favorable effects on lipid and glycemic indices.

Pankaj R. Patel, chairman and managing director, Zydus Cadila said, ''There are currently no approved therapies to treat NASH. Saroglitazar is showing promise in NASH, and Zydus will continue further research to develop this important therapeutic for NASH patients.''

Shares of the company gained Rs 15.7, or 1.07%, to trade at Rs 1,478.95. The total volume of shares traded was 1,722 at the BSE (11.08 a.m., Friday).