Wegovy authorised for MASH with moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis

Sponsor: Novo Nordisk $NVO
Drug: Wegovy · semaglutide
Indication: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis

From the source

Semaglutide (Wegovy) approved to treat form of liver disease

From: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Published: 3 July 2026

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today approved semaglutide (Wegovy) for the treatment of adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and moderate to advanced liver fibrosis.

MASH develops when excess fat in the liver causes inflammation and scarring. People are more likely to develop MASH if they have obesity, type 2 diabetes, or high blood lipid levels.

Semaglutide belongs to a class of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medicines mimic the action of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps to control blood sugar, reduce appetite, and slow gastric emptying.

According to the MHRA, the available evidence indicates that semaglutide is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with MASH. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal disorders including nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting.

As with any medicinal product, the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of semaglutide under close review.

Reproduced from MHRA News · view original · public domain or open-licensed government work

Background Drug-class context · Wikipedia

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, previously nonalcoholic steatohepatitis / NASH) is a chronic progressive liver disease characterised by hepatic steatosis, lobular inflammation, and hepatocyte ballooning — histological features that drive progressive fibrosis toward cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related mortality. MASH is closely linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidaemia; the addressable population in the UK alone is estimated in the millions. Historically MASH had no approved pharmacological therapy — treatment was limited to lifestyle modification and management of metabolic comorbidities. The first FDA-approved MASH therapy — resmetirion (Rezdiffra, Madrigal) — reached the U.S. market in March 2024, targeting the thyroid hormone β-receptor. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist first approved as Ozempic (T2D, 2017), then as Wegovy for chronic weight management (2021) and cardiovascular risk reduction (2024). The MHRA July 3, 2026 conditional authorisation extends Wegovy into MASH — the first GLP-1 authorised for the indication and the second class of drug (after THRβ agonism) approved for MASH in a major market. Authorisation was supported by the Phase 3 ESSENCE program (semaglutide 2.4 mg subcutaneous weekly, MASH with fibrosis stage 2 or 3) which met primary endpoints of MASH resolution without worsening of fibrosis and fibrosis improvement without worsening of MASH.

Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA

Topic hepatology

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