Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images * The FDA has granted accelerated approval to a novel drug for the treatment of a rare autoimmune disease that damages the liver. * Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) occurs when the immune system attacks the bile ducts, leading to liver damage and other serious health outcomes. * Treatment options for PBC are limited and frequently not well-tolerated by patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has just approved a first-in-class drug for the treatment of a rare autoimmune liver disease. On June 10th, the FDA granted accelerated approval to the drug Iqirvo (elafibranor) to treat primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). PBC is a rare autoimmune liver condition in which the small bile ducts in the liver are inflamed and damaged, causing bile and toxins to build up. As the bile collects in the liver, it damages the surrounding tissue, which can lead to severe health problems like cirrhosis of the liver and destruction of th
