The purpose of this study was to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of a combination treatment of tropifexor (LJN452) and cenicriviroc (CVC) in adult patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and liver fibrosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

Written informed consent Male and female patients 18 years or older (at the time of the screening visit). Patients must weigh at least 50 kg (110 lb) and no more than 200 kg (440 lb) to participate in the study.

Able to communicate well with the investigator, to understand and comply with the requirements of the study.

Adequate liver biopsy sample for evaluation by Central Reader. Presence of NASH as demonstrated by histologic evidence based on liver biopsy - NASH with fibrosis stage F2/F3, demonstrated on liver biopsy during the screening period. Alternatively, a historical biopsy can be used if performed within 6 months prior to screening.

Exclusion Criteria:

Use of other investigational drugs within 5 half-lives of enrollment or within 30 days whichever is longer.

History of hypersensitivity to any of the study drugs or its excipients or to drugs of similar chemical classes.

Previous exposure to elafibranor, CVC, tropifexor, obeticholic acid (OCA), LMB763 or other FXR agonist.

Participated in a clinical trial and treated with any investigational product being evaluated for the treatment of liver fibrosis or NASH in the 6 months before screening.

Patients taking medications prohibited by the protocol. History of treated or untreated malignancy of any organ system, other than localized basal cell carcinoma of the skin or treated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, within the past 5 years, regardless of whether there is evidence of local recurrence or metastases .

Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women. Women of child-bearing potential. Current or history of significant alcohol consumption for a period of more than 3 consecutive months within 1 year prior to screening (significant alcohol consumption is defined as more than 20 g/day in females and more than 30 g/day in males, on average) and/or a score on the modified AUDIT questionnaire ≥ 8.

Inability to reliably quantify alcohol consumption. History or evidence of ongoing drug abuse, within the last 6 months prior to randomization.

Prior or planned (during the study) bariatric surgery. Uncontrolled diabetes defined as HbA1c ≥ 9% at screening Clinical evidence of hepatic decompensation or severe liver impairment. Previous diagnosis of other forms of chronic liver disease. Calculated eGFR less than 60 mL/min (using the MDRD formula). History of biliary diversion History of liver transplantation or planned liver transplant. Known positivity for HIV. History or current diagnosis of ECG abnormalities indicating significant risk of safety for the patient to participate.

History of inflammatory bowel disease. Patients who are not candidates for liver biopsy. Presence of cirrhosis on liver biopsy (F4 by NASH CRN System) or medical history Patients with an abnormal platelet count (referring to reference ranges from the central lab).

Novartis is committed to sharing with qualified external researchers, access to patient-level data and supporting clinical documents from eligible studies. These requests are reviewed and approved by an independent review panel on the basis of scientific merit. All data provided is anonymized to respect the privacy of patients who have participated in the trial in line with applicable laws and regulations.

This trial data availability is according to the criteria and process described on www.clinicalstudydatarequest.com