The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved semaglutide injection, marketed as Wegovy, for the treatment of metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) — a form of liver disease characterised by inflammation and damage linked to fat accumulation in the liver.
What the Approval Covers
According to the MHRA, the authorisation applies specifically to adult patients presenting with moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis. Fibrosis refers to the scarring of liver tissue that can develop as a consequence of sustained inflammation, and more advanced stages are associated with greater risk of serious liver complications.
The decision marks an expansion of the therapeutic indications for semaglutide, a drug already in widespread use for other conditions. MASH represents a more severe form of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, and treatment options for patients with significant fibrosis have historically been limited.
About MASH
Metabolic-associated steatohepatitis is a progressive liver condition in which fat deposits trigger an inflammatory response, leading over time to fibrosis and, in some cases, cirrhosis. It is considered distinct from liver disease caused by alcohol consumption and is frequently associated with metabolic risk factors.
The condition can remain asymptomatic for extended periods, meaning fibrosis may already be present at the point of diagnosis. Moderate-to-advanced fibrosis stages — the population covered by this approval — represent a phase at which intervention is considered particularly important.
Regulatory Context
The MHRA is the independent body responsible for regulating medicines and medical devices in the United Kingdom. Its approval of semaglutide for this indication follows a review of the available evidence supporting the drug's use in this patient group.
The full announcement is available via the MHRA's official publication.