China Approves Semaglutide as First Drug for Fatty Liver-Related MASH
China has approved semaglutide injection, marketed as Wegovy, for MASH — the first and only drug cleared for the condition in the country.
China's drug regulator has approved semaglutide injection, sold under the brand name Wegovy, for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The National Medical Products Administration's decision makes it the first and currently the only medicine authorised for this indication in the country.
Nearly 300 million people in China are estimated to have fatty liver disease. Within that group, MASH represents a more serious form of the condition, and it can be partially reversed through sustained and adequate weight loss.
The approval is expected to offer a new treatment option for patients who are unable to achieve sufficient weight reduction through lifestyle measures alone. MASH is characterised by liver inflammation and damage, and in some cases can progress to fibrosis.
A patient identified as Xiao Wang described seeking medical help after an ultrasound raised concerns. "The ultrasound technician said it might be somewhat serious. I was a bit panicked and wanted to actively cooperate with treatment," the patient said.
Li Xiaoying, chief physician in the department of endocrinology at Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, said data from Phase III registration studies showed that a considerable proportion of patients can achieve complete resolution of steatohepatitis, with some also recording improvement in fibrosis.
The approval marks a step forward in the management of a condition that is closely linked to metabolic health and affects a large population in China.