San Diego, CA-based Conatus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CNAT is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of treatments targeting liver disease. The company’s lead candidate, emricasan, a first-in-class, orally active pan-caspase protease inhibitor, is being developed for the treatment of patients suffering from chronic liver disease. Emricasan is currently being evaluated in the POLT-HCV-SVR study (phase IIb) in post-orthotopic liver transplant (POLT) recipients with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis post-transplant as a result of recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, who have successfully achieved a sustained viral response (SVR) following HCV antiviral therapy; ENCORE-NF study (phase IIb) in patients with liver fibrosis resulting from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); and the Liver Cirrhosis (LC) study in patients with LC and model for end-stage liver disease scores of 11 to 18. Conatus’ performance has been decent with the company having beaten estimates in two quarters, while posting in-line results. Overall, the company has posted an average positive surprise of 7.58%, Currently, Conatus has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), but that could definitely change following the company’s earnings report which was just released. We have highlighted some of the key stats from this just-revealed announcement below: Earnings: Conatus’ first-quarter 2016 loss of 35 cents per share came in line with consensus estimates. Revenues: With no approved product in Conatus’ portfolio at the moment, the company does not generate revenues yet. Key Stats: Conatus plans to initiate additional studies (ENCORE-PH, ENCORE-LF and ENCORE-XT) on emricasan under the ENCORE program on a staggered basis through early 2017. Top-line data from these studies are expected to be out periodically beginning 2018. Positive data from these studies would allow the company to file for an accelerated approval of emricasan in NASH cirrhosis. Check back later for our full write up on this CNAT earnings report later! Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report CONATUS PHARMA (CNAT): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.