4 January 2024

Frimley Health is at the forefront of a new clinical trial aiming to tackle liver disease. 

Clinical research practitioner Jess Camp recently screened the first UK patient for the ELMWOOD study being run at Frimley Park Hospital by Dr Kuldeep Cheent. 

The study will monitor the effects of new drug elafibranor on primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a chronic liver disease in which the bile ducts inside and outside the organ become inflamed and scarred. Over time, this can cause progressive liver damage, organ failure and need for liver transplantation. 

“To date, there are no medications proven to improve outcome and prevent PSC disease progression,” said Dr Cheent. “Patients will receive elafibranor, which is thought to improve bile flow and exert an anti-inflammatory effect. 

“The trial will enable our PSC patients to have access to the latest therapies, which could potentially slow disease progression and improve long term outcomes.”  

There were congratulations for Frimley Health being the first UK centre to screen a patient for the trial. 

“Thank you for all your team’s hard work and focus to enable the achievement of this significant milestone,” said Caoimhe Fagan, senior clinical trial manager at ICON Pharma Solutions.