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Ocaliva

Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven · Phase 2 active Small molecule ✓ Verified May 2026

Ocaliva is a Small molecule drug developed by Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven. It is currently in Phase 2 development for Primary cholangitis. Also known as: obeticholic acid.

Obeticholic acid, sold under the brand name Ocaliva, is a small molecule medication used to treat primary biliary cholangitis. It is a semi-synthetic bile acid analogue with the chemical structure 6α-ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid.

Likelihood of approval
15.3% vs 15.3% industry baseline
If approved by FDA: likely 2031–2034
Steps remaining: Phase 3 → NDA/BLA submission
Confidence: Medium
Why this estimate
  • Baseline phase 2 → approval rate +15.3pp
    Industry-wide phase 2 drugs reach approval ~15.3% of the time (BIO/Informa 2023 industry benchmark across all therapeutic areas).
Predicted approval windows by jurisdiction (conditional on FDA approval)
Regulator Country Likely year Lag vs FDA
FDA US 2031–2034
EMA EU 2032–2035 +0.7 yr
MHRA GB 2032–2035 +0.7 yr
Health Canada CA 2032–2036 +0.9 yr
TGA AU 2032–2036 +1.2 yr
PMDA JP 2032–2036 +1.5 yr
NMPA CN 2033–2037 +2.3 yr
MFDS KR 2032–2036 +1.4 yr
CDSCO IN 2032–2037 +1.8 yr
ANVISA BR 2033–2037 +2.3 yr

Hover any row for the lag rationale. Lag estimates are reduced when the drug has FDA Breakthrough or EMA PRIME designation (sponsors file globally in parallel).

Estimate based on the BIO/Informa industry phase transition rates plus per-drug modifiers for therapeutic area, sponsor type, FDA designations, mechanism, and trial design. Per-jurisdiction lags from Tufts CSDD international approval studies. Not investment, clinical or regulatory advice. Methodology: /methodology#likelihood.

At a glance

Generic nameOcaliva
Also known asobeticholic acid
SponsorUniversitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven
TargetG-protein coupled bile acid receptor 1, Bile acid receptor
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaOther
PhasePhase 2

Approved indications

Common side effects

No common side effects on file.

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

Frequently asked questions about Ocaliva

What is Ocaliva?

Ocaliva is a Small molecule drug developed by Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven, indicated for Primary cholangitis.

What is Ocaliva used for?

Ocaliva is indicated for Primary cholangitis.

Who makes Ocaliva?

Ocaliva is developed by Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven (see full Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven pipeline at /company/universitaire-ziekenhuizen-ku-leuven).

Is Ocaliva also known as anything else?

Ocaliva is also known as obeticholic acid.

What development phase is Ocaliva in?

Ocaliva is in Phase 2.

What does Ocaliva target?

Ocaliva targets G-protein coupled bile acid receptor 1, Bile acid receptor.

Related

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing