Novo Nordisk's stock rose after FDA approved Wegovy for treating MASH, competing with Madrigal Pharmaceuticals' Rezdiffra. While Wegovy's approval benefits Novo, Madrigal's Rezdiffra continues to perform strongly, and the overall market response reflects ongoing competition and market dynamics in obesity and liver disease treatments.
The FDA has approved the first medication, Rezdiffra, for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a common form of liver inflammation associated with obesity and metabolic conditions. The medication, developed by Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, showed promising results in reducing fat accumulation in the liver and achieving NASH resolution with no worsening of fibrosis in clinical trials. It is intended to be used alongside a healthy diet and exercise and is expected to be available next month. The approval marks a significant milestone in NASH treatment and offers hope for patients and healthcare providers.
The FDA has approved Rezdiffra, the first drug developed specifically to treat the liver disease MASH, which is associated with obesity and can lead to serious complications such as liver scarring and cancer. The pill, made by Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, aims to address the accumulation of fat in the liver that causes inflammation and fibrosis, offering a potential treatment for this serious condition.
The FDA has approved Rezdiffra (resmetirom) as the first treatment for adults with noncirrhotic non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and moderate to advanced liver scarring, to be used alongside diet and exercise. NASH, a result of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, can lead to liver scarring and dysfunction. Rezdiffra, a partial activator of a thyroid hormone receptor, showed promising results in reducing liver fat accumulation in a 54-month trial. Common side effects include diarrhea and nausea, and precautions include drug-induced liver toxicity and gallbladder-related side effects. The approval was granted under the accelerated approval pathway, and a postapproval study is ongoing to assess clinical benefit after 54 months of treatment.