Islamabad, May 2, 2025: A groundbreaking international research effort led by Virginia Commonwealth University’s liver center reveals that the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy may stop — and even reverse — a widespread liver disease affecting millions globally.
At the forefront of this research are Dr. Arun Sanyal from the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health and Dr. Philip Newsome from King’s College London.
Together, they are investigating semaglutide’s potential to treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
Their recent phase 3 clinical trial results, featured in the New England Journal of Medicine, show highly promising outcomes.
“This study, spanning 37 countries, delivers compelling evidence that semaglutide not only improves liver condition but also tackles the root metabolic causes of MASH,” stated Dr. Sanyal, lead author and professor at VCU School of Medicine.
Roughly 15 million Americans live with MASH, a condition where fat accumulates in the liver, causing inflammation and tissue damage.
Presently, only one FDA-approved treatment exists, emphasizing the urgent need for new therapies.
“If approved, semaglutide would provide another important treatment avenue,” Sanyal added, noting the strong connection between MASH and cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic disorders — all areas where semaglutide has already shown proven benefits.
MASH is closely associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Left unchecked, it can progress to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even liver failure, often requiring a transplant — making it a critical health issue.
In the ESSENCE trial, 800 participants were studied: 534 received semaglutide, while 266 were given a placebo. Remarkably, 63% of semaglutide users saw reduced liver inflammation without worsened scarring, compared to 34% of the placebo group.
Additionally, nearly 37% experienced less liver scarring, versus 23% in the placebo group.
About one-third achieved both inflammation and scarring improvements — over double the placebo rate.
Participants also benefited from weight loss, improved liver function, and enhanced cardiovascular health, with minimal differences in severe side effects.
The ESSENCE trial’s key goal is to determine the optimal semaglutide dose that can heal liver fat damage and reduce scarring simultaneously.
Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, is already approved under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy to aid in weight loss and blood sugar control.
Researchers like Sanyal are examining whether this drug class can also reverse MASH-related liver damage.
While semaglutide is not yet FDA-approved for MASH, manufacturer Novo Nordisk plans to pursue regulatory approval soon.
If successful, millions of patients could soon have access to a transformative new treatment.
