Home / Health / Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Approved to Treat Serious Liver Condition
Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Approved to Treat Serious Liver Condition
15 Aug
Summary
- Wegovy is the first GLP-1 class therapy cleared for MASH
- 37% of patients on Wegovy showed improvement in liver fibrosis
- 63% of Wegovy patients had their liver inflammation resolved
On August 15, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy to treat a serious liver condition known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). This makes Wegovy the first GLP-1 class therapy cleared for MASH, a progressive liver condition that affects around 5% of adults in the U.S.
The FDA's decision was based on part 1 of a two-part study that showed Wegovy had helped improve the organ's condition in more patients with MASH and liver scarring, compared to a placebo. At 72 weeks, nearly 37% of patients on Novo Nordisk's treatment showed an improvement in liver fibrosis, compared to 22.4% on the placebo. Additionally, nearly 63% of those on Wegovy had their liver inflammation resolved, versus 34.3% for the placebo. No worsening of the disease was seen in these patients.
Novo Nordisk stated that the drug is now available in the U.S. for adults with MASH and moderate to advanced liver scarring, and is to be used alongside diet and exercise. The only other FDA-approved treatment for MASH is Madrigal Pharmaceuticals' Rezdiffra.
