Authors from leading academic, clinical, and research institutions examine the urgent need for action in addressing metabolic liver disease worldwide

San Diego, CA, February 18, 2025 — A new peer-reviewed article titled “Addressing the High and Rising Global Burden of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH): From the Growing Prevalence to Payors’ Perspective” was recently published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. The article, which appears in Volume 59, Issue 8, is accessible online at https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.70020.

Authors of this publication include:
Zobair Younossi, Arun J. Sanyal, Vlad Ratziu, Naim Alkhouri, Mazen Noureddin, Eric Lawitz, Naga Chalasani, Kenneth Cusi, Quentin Anstee, Rohit Loomba, Stephen Harrison, Jeffrey Lazarus, Wayne Eskridge, Christin Lauridsen, Homie Razavi, Marcus Hompesch, and Michael Sherman.

This expert consensus piece provides a timely and comprehensive overview of the metabolic and public health implications of MASLD (formerly known as NAFLD) and MASH. The article explores the continuum of metabolic dysfunction that underlies these liver diseases, including insulin resistance, inflammation, and lipid dysregulation—factors that are also core contributors to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease.

The authors emphasize that the rising global prevalence of MASLD is now a major driver of liver-related morbidity and mortality, posing a significant burden to healthcare systems and payors due to its progressive nature and lack of effective, widely accessible diagnostics or treatment strategies. The article highlights the urgent need for:

• Improved awareness and education among providers and patients
• More precise non-invasive diagnostics
• Early and effective preventive interventions
• Policy initiatives and healthcare system adaptations to address long-term economic impact

“As we continue to see MASLD emerge as one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time, this article brings together key clinical and economic perspectives that underscore the need for urgent, coordinated action,” said Dr. Marcus Hompesch, CEO of ProSciento and contributing author. “Addressing MASLD will require a shift in how we approach chronic metabolic diseases across clinical, regulatory, and policy frameworks.”

This publication contributes to the growing body of literature that aims to bridge the gap between clinical science and health economics, offering actionable insights for stakeholders across healthcare systems, including clinicians, researchers, regulators, and payors.

To read the full article, visit: https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.70020.

San Diego, October 25, 2024 — ProSciento, Inc., a leading clinical research organization focused on metabolic diseases, proudly announces the appointment of Janet Reardon, GPHR, SHRM-SCP, as Vice President of People. Janet brings to the role more than two decades of global human resources leadership experience across clinical research, biotechnology, and healthcare sectors.

In her new role, Janet will oversee strategic people initiatives that align with ProSciento’s mission-driven culture, guiding talent development, organizational growth, and employee engagement across its global operations.

“Janet’s proven leadership and deep understanding of the clinical research landscape make her an exceptional addition to our team,” said Dr. Marcus Hompesch, CEO of ProSciento. “Her ability to foster collaboration, drive innovation, and build inclusive, high-performing teams aligns directly with our values and our commitment to advancing science and improving lives.”

Prior to joining ProSciento, Janet served as Vice President of Human Resources for Synteract, where she led HR strategies for a global workforce across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Her expertise spans HR transformation, talent acquisition, leadership development, and change management within highly regulated industries. She is both a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

“ProSciento’s purpose-driven mission and culture of scientific excellence immediately stood out to me,” said Reardon. “I’m honored to join an organization that not only leads in metabolic disease research but also places such strong emphasis on people, innovation, and community.”

At ProSciento, we are driven by a desire to make a difference — in our workplace, in our community, in science and innovation, and in the lives of people affected by diseases across the metabolic continuum. Janet’s appointment reinforces this commitment, helping to shape an environment where our people can thrive and our impact can grow.

To learn more about Janet Reardon, visit https://prosciento.com/janet-reardon-gphr-shrm-scp/
For more information about ProSciento, visit prosciento.com

Proud to Serve as a Living Red Sponsor for the 2024 ADA Step Out Walk in Long Beach, CA

San Diego, August 15, 2024 — ProSciento, Inc., a leading clinical research organization specializing in metabolic diseases, proudly marks 20 years of support for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and its mission to prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of those affected by it. In continued partnership with the ADA, ProSciento will serve as a Living Red Sponsor of the 2024 Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes in Long Beach, California on October 26, 2024.

The Living Red Sponsor designation honors companies that actively champion the diabetes community by supporting individuals who live with diabetes every day—those who “live red.” These participants wear red at the walk to symbolize their strength and resilience, and the sponsor role reflects ProSciento’s ongoing commitment to standing with them.

“For two decades, our work has been driven by the goal of improving the lives of people living with diabetes,” said Dr. Marcus Hompesch, CEO of ProSciento. “We are honored to partner with the American Diabetes Association and support initiatives like the Step Out Walk that not only raise critical funds for research and also celebrate and empower those affected by diabetes. The Living Red Sponsor role is especially meaningful to us—it’s a reminder of why this work matters.”

Since 2004, ProSciento has contributed time, resources, and funding to ADA programs and events across Southern California. ProSciento looks forward to building on this legacy of support and walking alongside patients, families, researchers, and advocates in the fight against diabetes.

About ProSciento
ProSciento is the leading provider of clinical research and patient engagement solutions for metabolic continuum diseases with unparalleled expertise in diabetes, obesity, and steatotic liver disease. As a full-service clinical research organization (CRO), ProSciento works with clients of all sizes worldwide to design and conduct multinational clinical trials, from early clinical development planning through phase III. With two decades as a leading scientific contributor to metabolic continuum research, ProSciento has trusted relationships with clients, partners, and patients, supporting the development of therapeutics and devices that make an important difference in the lives of individuals with metabolic diseases. For more information, please visit www.prosciento.com.

Collaborative insights from Roundtable participants highlight the future of digital pathology and AI in MASH clinical development

San Diego, February 1, 2024 — ProSciento, Inc., a leading clinical research organization specializing in metabolic diseases and the managing body of the Metabolic Continuum Roundtable, is pleased to announce the publication of a collaborative journal article authored by contributors of the Roundtable. The article, titled “Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Digital Pathology for Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis: Current Status and Future Directions,” appears in the February 2024 issue (Volume 80, Issue 2) of the Journal of Hepatology and is available online via DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.10.015.

The article’s co-authors include esteemed experts across hepatology, pathology, clinical research, and digital health innovation: Vlad Ratziu, Marcus Hompesch, Mathieu Petitjean, Cindy Serdjebi, Janani Iyer, Anil Parwani, Dean Tai, Elisabetta Bugianesi, Kenneth Cusi, Scott L. Friedman, Eric Lawitz, Manuel Romero-Gómez, Detlef Schuppan, Rohit Loomba, Valérie Paradis, Cynthia Behling, and Arun J. Sanyal.

The manuscript emerged from in-depth discussions during the Metabolic Continuum Roundtable’s annual forum, which ProSciento manages as part of its broader commitment to advancing scientific dialogue across the metabolic disease spectrum. The article provides a comprehensive review of the challenges in histological assessment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)—previously named non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)—and explores how AI-assisted digital pathology (DP/AI) tools may revolutionize clinical trial design and therapeutic development.

With MASH prevalence rising globally—and in the absence of approved therapeutics—accurate and consistent histological assessment remains a critical component of drug development. However, current pathology methods face limitations, including sample heterogeneity and reader variability. The article explores how digital pathology workflows integrated with artificial intelligence offer a promising solution to improve accuracy, reproducibility, and efficiency in MASH clinical trials.

The review details:

• The current landscape of DP/AI tools in development for MASH
• Regulatory considerations for digital pathology applications
• The impact of automation and quantification on clinical endpoints and trial outcomes

“This publication reflects the collaborative spirit and scientific depth that define the Metabolic Continuum Roundtable,” said Dr. Marcus Hompesch, CEO of ProSciento and a contributing author. “It underscores the vital role of cross-disciplinary innovation in overcoming challenges in MASH research and shaping the future of drug development.”

For more information and to view the article abstract, visit the Journal of Hepatology website at: www.journal-of-hepatology.eu/article/S0168-8278(23)05182-6/fulltext.

To learn more about the Metabolic Continuum Roundtable, visit: www.metabolic-continuum-roundtable.com
For more about ProSciento’s research leadership, visit: www.prosciento.com

Leaders in academic, clinical, and industry research gather to explore the interconnected spectrum of metabolic diseases

San Diego, November 11, 2023 — ProSciento, Inc., a leading clinical research organization specializing in metabolic diseases, proudly hosted the 7th Metabolic Continuum Roundtable Forum on November 10, 2023, in Boston, Massachusetts. Managed by ProSciento, the Metabolic Continuum Roundtable is an annual forum that brings together an international network of thought leaders to drive cross-disciplinary dialogue on scientific advancements and clinical strategies across the metabolic disease spectrum.

The theme of the 2023 forum was:
Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD/MASH): Disease Burden – Patient Reported Outcomes – Health Economics: Payor & Societal Perspectives.

This focused, one-day forum convened more than 20 global experts in academic research, clinical care, health economics, and biopharmaceutical innovation to discuss pressing questions around the burden of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and steatohepatitis (MASH), with an emphasis on real-world outcomes, patient perspectives, and economic implications for healthcare systems and society.

This year’s forum was moderated by:

• Rohit Loomba, MD, MHSc
  Professor of Medicine, Chief, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California San Diego; Director, MASLD Research Center
• Arun J. Sanyal, MD
  Z. Reno Vlahcevic Research Professor in Gastroenterology Research; Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Keynote presentations were delivered by:

• Zobair Younossi, MD
  Chairman and Professor of Medicine, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus
• Homie Razavi, PhD, MBA
  Managing Director, Center for Disease Analysis Foundation
• Michael Sherman, MD, MBA, MS
  Venture Partner, RA Capital Management, L.P.

“The Metabolic Continuum Roundtable was founded on the belief that meaningful progress in this field depends on collaborative thinking across disciplines,” said Dr. Marcus Hompesch, CEO of ProSciento and Chair of the Roundtable’s organizing body. “As the understanding of steatotic liver diseases evolves, it is critical that we examine not only the clinical and scientific aspects, but also how these conditions impact patients’ lives and the healthcare systems that support them.”

The Roundtable is a non-promotional, invitation-only forum designed to foster open, solution-oriented discussions free from commercial influence. It serves as a unique platform for scientific exchange, strategic alignment, and advancement of clinical development initiatives across the metabolic disease continuum.

More information about the Roundtable and this year’s agenda and participants is available at: www.metabolic-continuum-roundtable.com/7th-forum

To learn more about ProSciento and its leadership in metabolic clinical research, visit prosciento.com.