Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals

Yaqrit Advances L-ornithine Phenylacetate to Phase 3 for Acute Hepatic Encephalopathy Treatment

- Yaqrit's subsidiary Amalive is preparing to launch Phase 3 trials in 2025 for L-ornithine phenylacetate (OPA), an ammonia scavenger acquired from Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, targeting acute hepatic encephalopathy. - The company plans parallel development of oral formulations for hepatic encephalopathy prevention and urea cycle disorders, building on previous clinical data showing faster ammonia reduction compared to standard care. - With 200,000 annual US hospitalizations for acute hepatic encephalopathy and a 40-50% recurrence rate within one year, OPA addresses a significant unmet medical need in advanced liver disease.