• Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, significantly reduces liver inflammation and scarring in patients with MASH.
• The clinical trial showed that approximately two-thirds of patients treated with semaglutide experienced reduced liver inflammation, and over one-third saw improvements in liver scarring.
• The FDA has granted priority review for Wegovy as a treatment for MASH, potentially offering a new therapeutic option by the end of the year.

A recent clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine investigated the efficacy of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, in treating Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH). The study, conducted across 37 countries with 800 participants, revealed that semaglutide significantly reduced liver inflammation and scarring associated with MASH, a serious form of fatty liver disease. These findings suggest that semaglutide may offer a promising new treatment option for individuals affected by MASH, a condition currently addressed by only one FDA-approved medication.

• What: A clinical trial demonstrated that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, effectively treats MASH, reducing liver inflammation and scarring.
• Who: The study involved 800 participants across 37 countries. Key individuals include Dr. Robert Brown Jr., Dr. Sobia Laique, Dr. Susan Spratt, Dr. Christopher McGowan, and Arun Sanyal.
• When: The study lasted 72 weeks, with results published in the New England Journal of Medicine on April 30, 2025. The FDA could make a decision on Wegovy approval for MASH by the end of the year.
• Where: The clinical trial was conducted across 37 countries. The individuals quoted are affiliated with institutions in the U.S., including Weill Cornell Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, and Duke Health.

The study's findings suggest that semaglutide could represent a significant advancement in the treatment of MASH, a condition with limited treatment options. The drug's ability to address both liver disease and underlying metabolic issues makes it a promising new approach. However, questions remain about the long-term durability of these improvements and the potential need for continued medication use. The FDA's priority review designation indicates the urgency and potential impact of this treatment.

"This is fairly monumental and really is going to be paradigm-changing, because at least in the pharmacotherapy space, you don’t have a comparable drug yet."

"It’s incredibly good news that semaglutide not only reduced inflammation but also that fibrosis regressed."

"By treating both liver disease and its metabolic causes, semaglutide offers a promising new approach for millions of patients"

"MASH and MASLD are going to be an increasing health burden, and we are going to need drugs that target the liver fibrosis as well as the underlying metabolic parameters."

The clinical trial confirms semaglutide's efficacy in treating MASH by significantly reducing liver inflammation (63% of patients) and scarring (37% of patients), with some experiencing improvements in both. Given the FDA's priority review, Wegovy may become a new treatment option by the end of the year, potentially the second FDA-approved drug for MASH after resmetirom. This development offers hope for millions affected by MASH and related metabolic conditions, particularly those with obesity and type 2 diabetes, addressing underlying metabolic issues alongside liver health. While the 72-week results are promising, further research, including a follow-up study with results expected in 2029, is essential to determine the long-term effects, durability of the treatment, and impact on serious outcomes like cirrhosis, liver failure, the need for liver transplantation, and mortality; research is also needed to determine if combination therapy with resmetirom improves outcomes.