Chronic liver diseases, including hepatitis, ALD and NASH, affect an estimated 25 million people in the U.S., approximately one in every ten. Hepatitis C is the leading blood-borne infection in the United States. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 4.5 million Americans are infected with the hepatitis C virus. The World Health Organization and other sources estimate that at least 200 million people are infected worldwide. Some experts estimate that without substantial improvements in treatment, deaths from hepatitis C will surpass those from HIV. Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver cancer and the primary reason for liver transplantation in many countries. Even with recent advances, approximately half of patients still do not attain a sustained response with current therapies. NASH, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, also called 'fatty liver,' is an inflammation of the liver associated with an increase of fat deposits in liver cells that may lead to severe liver damage and cirrhosis. NASH may occur in middle-aged, overweight, and often in diabetic patients who do not drink alcohol. ALD, caused by alcohol abuse, is one of the ten leading causes of death in the United States.