Semaglutide Shows Major Promise for Treating Serious Liver Disease

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, is poised to add to its growing list of medical uses. In a large-scale clinical trial published today, semaglutide was found to be effective at treating a severe and relatively common form of liver disease. Researchers in the U.S. and the U.K. led the Phase III trial, funded by the drug’s maker, Novo Nordisk. Compared to placebo, semaglutide substantially improved the outcomes of people with metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The findings will pave the way for semaglutide and similar drugs to become frontline treatments for this chronic condition. MASH is the most severe form of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Both are characterized by an excess buildup of fat in the liver, which can lead to damaging inflammation and eventual permanent scarring, or cirrhosis. These conditions were formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and non-alcoholic fatty ... Read full article.