Novo Nordisk Highlights Semaglutide Liver Safety and Subgroup Data in MASH at EASL 2026

Novo Nordisk unveiled new clinical and real-world evidence analyses at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress 2026 that further position semaglutide as a potential therapeutic option for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a progressive liver disease affecting an estimated 250 million people globally.¹

The data presentations expand upon findings from the company’s Phase 3 ESSENCE trial program evaluating semaglutide 2.4 mg in patients with MASH and liver fibrosis. According to Novo Nordisk, the new analyses focused on hepatic safety, menopausal women, and Japanese patient populations—groups often underrepresented in liver disease research.

Why is liver safety a key concern in MASH treatment?

One of the central presentations at EASL involved a liver safety analysis from the ESSENCE trial, which Novo Nordisk said demonstrated a favorable hepatic safety profile for semaglutide across patient subgroups.³ The findings may be particularly relevant because patients with MASH often have compromised liver function and multiple metabolic comorbidities.

“MASH is caught early, treated effectively, and is no longer overlooked. That is what drives us—the people behind these numbers and their unmet needs,” said David Ørsted, vice president of Global Medical Affairs Obesity & MASH at Novo Nordisk, in the company announcement.

MASH, previously referred to as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is the inflammatory form of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The condition can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma if left untreated.²

Novo Nordisk also highlighted real-world evidence presented at EASL suggesting that MASH remains substantially underdiagnosed globally, with approximately 90% of cases estimated to be unidentified.¹^,³

Could semaglutide expand treatment options across diverse patient populations?

Additional subgroup analyses presented at EASL examined semaglutide’s effects in menopausal women and Japanese patients living with MASH.³ According to Novo Nordisk, the menopause-focused analysis addressed a patient population in which hormonal changes may accelerate liver disease progression and worsen metabolic dysfunction.¹

Meanwhile, the Japanese subgroup analysis explored efficacy and safety in Asian populations, where MASLD and MASH may develop at lower body mass index thresholds and involve distinct metabolic risk profiles.¹

Semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy for obesity management, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist already approved in several regions for weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction.¹ Industry attention toward MASH therapies has intensified in recent years as prevalence rates continue to rise alongside obesity and type 2 diabetes worldwide.⁴

Novo Nordisk stated that its EASL 2026 presentations reflect broader efforts to improve earlier diagnosis, treatment access, and disease awareness for patients living with chronic liver disease.

References

1. Novo Nordisk to unveil data showing semaglutide tackles the liver disease crisis affecting about 1 in 3 people living with overweight and obesity worldwide. (2026 May 19). Novo Nordisk. https://www.novonordisk.com/content/nncorp/global/en/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=916550
2. Gill MG, Majumdar A. (202 Dec 27). Metabolic associated fatty liver disease: Addressing a new era in liver transplantation. World J Hepatol. https://www.wjgnet.com/1948-5182/full/v12/i12/1168.htm
3. Novo Nordisk to unveil data showing semaglutide tackles the liver disease crisis affecting about 1 in 3 people living with overweight and obesity worldwide. (2026 May 19). BioSpace. https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/novo-nordisk-to-unveil-data-showing-semaglutide-tackles-the-liver-disease-crisis-affecting-about-1-in-3-people-living-with-overweight-and-obesity-worldwide
4. Do, A., Zahrawi, F. & Mehal, W.Z. (2024 Nov 28). Therapeutic landscape of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Nat Rev Drug Discov. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41573-024-01084-2