Popular Weight Loss Drug Wegovy Shows Encouraging Results in Liver Fibrosis Trial

On Friday, Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) released headline results from part 1 of the ongoing ESSENCE Phase 3 trial, a 240-week trial in 1,200 adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and moderate to advanced liver fibrosis (stage 2 or 3).

Once-weekly, subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg is marketed under the brand name Wegovy.

Part 1 of the ESSENCE trial evaluated the effect of once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg on liver tissue (histology) compared to placebo on top of standard of care for the first 800 randomized people at 72 weeks.

The trial achieved its primary endpoints by demonstrating a statistically significant and superior improvement in liver fibrosis with no worsening of steatohepatitis and resolution of steatohepatitis with no worsening of liver fibrosis with semaglutide 2.4 mg compared to ...