Merck’s Efinopegdutide Shows Promise in Mid-Stage MASH Trial
By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD ·
Merck & Co. announced results from a mid-stage clinical trial for its investigational drug efinopegdutide. The drug is a GLP-1 and glucagon receptor co-agonist. The study showed that efinopegdutide resolved cases of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) compared with placebo, without worsening liver fibrosis.
The trial was a mid-stage study. Merck reported the data in a company release. No specific numerical results, patient numbers, or trial duration were disclosed in the summary.
Context
MASH is a chronic liver disease linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome. It can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure. There are currently no FDA-approved treatments specifically for MASH. GLP-1 receptor agonists are already used for diabetes and weight loss. Adding glucagon receptor activity may offer additional metabolic benefits. Efinopegdutide is one of several experimental therapies aiming to fill this treatment gap. Success in mid-stage trials is a key step toward larger confirmatory studies.
Source: Merck’s MASH hopeful efinopegdutide wins in mid-stage study