Novo Nordisk has received approval from Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for Wegovy® (once-weekly injectable semaglutide 2.4 mg) as the first treatment for adults with noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and moderate to advanced liver fibrosis. This approval marks a significant development in the treatment of MASH, formerly known as NASH, in Singapore.
The decision by HSA is grounded in the findings of the ESSENCE phase 3 trial, which demonstrated that 63% of participants receiving semaglutide achieved resolution of steatohepatitis without worsening liver fibrosis, compared to 34% receiving a placebo. Additionally, 37% of those treated with semaglutide saw at least a one-stage improvement in liver fibrosis without worsening steatohepatitis, compared to 22% on placebo. Notably, 33% achieved both primary endpoints, compared to 16% on placebo.
In 2024, MASH was responsible for 39.8% of cirrhosis cases in SingHealth’s Chronic Liver Disease Registry, surpassing hepatitis B, which accounted for 23.5%. This highlights the growing need for effective treatments like Wegovy® in managing liver conditions in Singapore.
The approval of Wegovy® offers a new therapeutic option for patients, complementing lifestyle changes such as a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. As the first approved treatment for MASH with liver fibrosis in Singapore, it represents a promising advancement in addressing this prevalent health issue.
