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Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules

Beijing Friendship Hospital · Phase 3 active Small molecule ✓ Verified May 2026

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules is a Bile acid Small molecule drug developed by Beijing Friendship Hospital. It is currently in Phase 3 development for Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), Cholestasis of pregnancy. Also known as: Ursofalk.

Ursodeoxycholic acid is a bile acid that reduces cholesterol saturation in bile and increases bile flow to improve hepatic function and reduce cholestasis.

Ursodeoxycholic acid capsules are used to treat conditions such as ulcerative colitis, pouchitis, chronic cholecystitis, and acute pancreatitis due to gallstones, based on studies listed on ClinicalTrials.gov. The mechanism of action of ursodeoxycholic acid is related to secondary bile acids in intestinal inflammation, as per the study "The Role of Secondary Bile Acids in Intestinal Inflammation" on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Likelihood of approval
58.3% vs 58.3% industry baseline
If approved by FDA: likely 2028–2030
Steps remaining: NDA/BLA submission
Confidence: High
Why this estimate
  • Baseline phase 3 → approval rate +58.3pp
    Industry-wide phase 3 drugs reach approval ~58.3% 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 2028–2030
EMA EU 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
MHRA GB 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
Health Canada CA 2029–2032 +0.9 yr
TGA AU 2029–2032 +1.2 yr
PMDA JP 2029–2032 +1.5 yr
NMPA CN 2030–2033 +2.3 yr
MFDS KR 2029–2032 +1.4 yr
CDSCO IN 2029–2033 +1.8 yr
ANVISA BR 2030–2033 +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 nameUrsodeoxycholic Acid Capsules
Also known asUrsofalk
SponsorBeijing Friendship Hospital
Drug classBile acid
TargetFarnesoid X receptor (FXR), TGR5 receptor
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaHepatology / Gastroenterology
PhasePhase 3

Mechanism of action

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring hydrophilic bile acid that decreases the cholesterol content of bile and promotes its flow through the biliary system. It protects hepatocytes from cytotoxic bile acids and has immunomodulatory properties that reduce inflammation in the liver. These mechanisms make it effective in treating cholestatic liver diseases by improving bile flow and reducing hepatic injury.

Approved indications

Common side effects

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 Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules

What is Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules?

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules is a Bile acid drug developed by Beijing Friendship Hospital, indicated for Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), Cholestasis of pregnancy.

How does Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules work?

Ursodeoxycholic acid is a bile acid that reduces cholesterol saturation in bile and increases bile flow to improve hepatic function and reduce cholestasis.

What is Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules used for?

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules is indicated for Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), Cholestasis of pregnancy, Gallstone dissolution.

Who makes Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules?

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules is developed by Beijing Friendship Hospital (see full Beijing Friendship Hospital pipeline at /company/beijing-friendship-hospital).

Is Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules also known as anything else?

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules is also known as Ursofalk.

What drug class is Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules in?

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules belongs to the Bile acid class. See all Bile acid drugs at /class/bile-acid.

What development phase is Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules in?

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules is in Phase 3.

What are the side effects of Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules?

Common side effects of Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules include Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Nausea, Pruritus, Headache.

What does Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules target?

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules targets Farnesoid X receptor (FXR), TGR5 receptor and is a Bile acid.

Related

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