Correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember the point of this NASH study was to match past NASH studies so the results can be evaluated apples to apples against other NASH drugs in development. I also remember this was a request from interested potential partners. I got the feeling at the time they wanted a solid confirmation to make decisions off of.
The other nice thing is that this was a study, not a trial so the protocol and procedure required in a trial is avoided. The data is as it is and the steps to screen patients is gone and data presentation is more casual.