The latest episode of the BioVentures podcast is the second part of the expose on the AR Health Ventures Therapeutic Accelerator (ARHVA) program. Our guest, Dr. Mitch McGill, an associate professor at UAMS, focuses his research on improving liver injury detection in clinical trials, specifically by developing new biomarkers to complement or replace alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a commonly used but limited indicator of liver damage.

Dr. McGill explains that ALT can sometimes indicate false positives due to factors like diet or exercise, leading to unnecessary drug terminations in clinical trials. He proposes using fragments from deregulated proteases in liver cells as a more specific marker of true liver injury. This approach aims to enhance patient access to potentially safe medications while ensuring their safety. The project is in the early stages, with promising animal model results and plans for clinical validation. Dr. McGill highlights the importance of commercialization, noting that partnerships with industry are essential for making diagnostic tests widely available.