Gilead axes 3 drug programs, including Novo-partnered MASH treatment

Gilead has cut two early-stage cancer drugs (GS-9911 and zamzetoclax) and ended a metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) program co-developed with Novo Nordisk.

Why it matters: The move clears Gilead’s pipeline of all fibrotic disease projects and signals a tighter focus on its most promising assets. It also ends a six-year collaboration with Novo on a potential liver disease treatment.

Backstory:

• GS-9911 (a DGKα inhibitor) and zamzetoclax (an MCL1 inhibitor) were in phase 1 trials for advanced solid tumors.

• The MASH program combined Gilead’s cilofexor and firsocostat with Novo’s semaglutide. A phase 2 trial finished in Dec. 2024, but no data were released.

• The dropped MASH program followed earlier trial disappointments, including a 2019 phase 2 failure to improve liver scarring.

• Cilofexor and firsocostat, acquired through biotech buyouts, previously showed some symptom improvement in a small trial but came with serious side effects.

Big picture: Gilead’s decision reflects industry trends toward shedding underperforming R&D assets to concentrate on higher-probability wins, especially after major product launches like its recently approved HIV prevention drug, Yeztugo. The exit from MASH research leaves the space increasingly dominated by other players, with Novo still pushing forward in obesity and related metabolic conditions.

Yes, but: It’s not the only disappointing news for Gilead in the last days. In Q2 2025, Gilead’s CAR-T therapies Yescarta and Tecartus saw sales drop 5% and 14% respectively. Fortunately for the pharma giant, its new HIV PrEP drug Yeztugo boosted overall revenue and continues to fuel investors’ optimism.