Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH (BI) has started a phase IIa trial in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) seeking insight on four different doses of BI-1467335, an anti-inflammatory drug it acquired from Sydney-based Pharmaxis Ltd. The kick-off triggered an €18 million (US$21.3 million) milestone payment for Pharmaxis. A €10 million (US$11.8 million) milestone tied to the launch of another phase II study in a second soon-to-be disclosed indication is expected later this year.