MediciNova completes last patient visit in NAFLD Phase 2 trial

MediciNova, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNOV) announced the completion of the last patient last visit in its Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating MN-001 (tipelukast) for hypertriglyceridemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, according to a shareholder letter from CEO Yuichi Iwaki.

The trial, designated MN-001-NATG-202, is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Top-line data are expected in the third quarter of 2026.

On its other lead compound, MN-166 (ibudilast), the company said 100 patients have been enrolled across 12 activated U.S. sites in the SEANOBI expanded-access program evaluating ibudilast in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients, representing half of the planned 200-patient enrollment. The company also said it expects top-line data from its COMBAT ALS Phase 2b/3 registration trial by the end of 2026.

MediciNova also received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a patent covering ibudilast in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody for the treatment of glioblastoma. The patent is expected to expire no earlier than September 2042.

Separately, researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre published a study in the journal Cancer Research in March 2026 showing that ibudilast can block MIF-CD74 signaling and suppress brain metastasis growth in preclinical systems.

The company noted that equity research coverage has expanded from one firm 18 months ago to four, with Lucid Capital Markets, H.C. Wainwright & Co., and Maxim Group all initiating coverage in 2026, joining D. Boral Capital, which initiated in December 2024.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Game Your Game begins trading on Nasdaq under ticker GYGY
• Truxton Corporation announces 4-for-1 stock split and dividend
• H.C. Wainwright Downgrades Capricor Therapeutics (CAPR) to Neutral