Gilead Sciences has announced that the Scottish Medicines Consortium has accepted Livdelzi (seladelpar) for use on the NHS in Scotland for adults with primary biliary cholangitis, including pruritus, in combination with UDCA for those with an inadequate response, or as monotherapy for those unable to tolerate UDCA. Pruritus affects up to 70–80% of people with PBC and can severely impact quality of life.
Around 2,000 people in Scotland are living with PBC, a rare autoimmune liver disease that can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver failure. The condition is most commonly diagnosed in women over the age of 50.
Robert Mitchell‑Thain, Chief Executive Officer of the PBC Foundation, said: “This is welcome news for the PBC community in Scotland. PBC presents a multitude of challenges, from concerns about disease progression to managing symptoms such as chronic itch, which can have a significant impact on everyday life.”
He added: “Today’s decision is an important acknowledgement of the burden this condition places on patients and families and signals progress towards care that better addresses the full impact of living with PBC.”
There is currently no cure for PBC, with treatment aiming to manage symptoms, improve quality of life and slow disease progression. UDCA remains the first‑line therapy, but additional options are needed.
Dr Ruari Lynch, Consultant Hepatologist, Dundee, said: “Managing PBC can be challenging, requiring consideration of both the underlying disease and the broader impact the condition can have on patients’ daily lives.”
He added: “The availability of an additional treatment option means clinicians now have even greater flexibility to tailor care to individual patient needs.”
The SMC decision is based on evidence from RESPONSE, a global phase 3 double blind placebo controlled trial evaluating seladelpar in adults with PBC who had an inadequate response to or were unable to tolerate UDCA. Peter Wickersham, Vice President and General Manager, Gilead UK & Ireland, said: “We welcome the SMC’s decision to accept seladelpar for routine use within NHS Scotland.”
He added: “This is an important milestone for people living with PBC and marks another step forward in Gilead’s commitment to advancing care in liver disease.”
Seladelpar is already available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland following positive NICE guidance published in June 2026.
