China Approves Wegovy as First Drug for Fatty Liver-Linked MASH

China's National Medical Products Administration has approved semaglutide injection, marketed as Wegovy, for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH), making it the first and currently only drug cleared for this indication in the country.

The approval covers patients whose disease has progressed to MASH with moderate-to-severe liver fibrosis. Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, works on two fronts: it suppresses appetite and limits fat entering the liver, while also reducing inflammatory responses within the organ.

Nearly 300 million people in China live with fatty liver disease. What is commonly called "fatty liver" represents only the early stage of the condition. Without control, it can advance to steatohepatitis, then liver fibrosis, and eventually cirrhosis or liver cancer. MASH can be partially reversed through sustained and adequate weight loss.

Physicians point to trial evidence supporting the approval. Li Xiaoying, chief physician in the department of endocrinology at Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, said data from Phase III registration studies show that a substantial share of patients achieve complete resolution of steatohepatitis, with some also recording improvement in fibrosis.

The clinical need is visible in individual cases. Xiao Wang, 26, gained more than 20 kilograms within a year, reaching 96 kilograms — classified as severe obesity. Examinations showed severe fat deposition in her liver along with fibrotic scarring. Recalling the moment the extent of the problem became clear, she said the ultrasound technician indicated it might be somewhat serious, adding that she felt panicked and wanted to actively cooperate with treatment.

Experts caution that the drug is not for self-administration. It must be used only after a comprehensive evaluation by a hepatologist or endocrinologist, and requires standardized follow-up, they said.