Plainsboro, New Jersey, United States, and Bagsværd, Denmark, October 28, 2026
Novo Nordisk has announced plans to present 12 new clinical and real-world research abstracts evaluating semaglutide 2.4 mg and investigational efruxifermin at The Liver Meeting® 2026, organised by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). The presentations, scheduled from November 5–9, 2026, in Denver, Colorado, will highlight new findings in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a progressive liver disease that can lead to advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis and other serious complications. The research programme includes real-world comparisons of semaglutide and resmetirom, additional analyses from the Phase 3 ESSENCE clinical trial, and investigational research involving efruxifermin in patients with MASH-related liver complications. The announcement represents another step in Novo Nordisk’s efforts to expand scientific understanding of metabolic liver disease and investigate treatment strategies for patients with significant unmet medical needs.
Novo Presents New Semaglutide Data in MASH Research
One of the key presentations will feature findings from the PLATINUM-Truveta retrospective cohort analysis, which compares semaglutide 2.4 mg with resmetirom in adults living with MASH. The research examines changes in liver enzymes and cardiometabolic markers, including body weight, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides and cholesterol measurements. The study used de-identified electronic health records from 30 healthcare systems across the United States, covering data collected between June 2021 and March 2026. It included 2,873 adults who initiated semaglutide 2.4 mg and 2,285 who initiated resmetirom. Researchers evaluated changes in important health measurements at three and six months following treatment initiation. The PLATINUM-Truveta study has been selected as a Poster of Distinction, placing it among the top 10% of submitted posters according to the company. The findings will be presented on November 6, 2026. Novo will also present additional real-world findings from the RHODIUM-2 study, which investigates changes in liver enzymes and cardiometabolic markers among patients with MASH who initiated semaglutide compared with those who did not. These analyses could provide additional information about treatment patterns and outcomes in routine clinical practice. However, because these are observational studies, their findings can demonstrate associations but cannot independently establish cause-and-effect relationships.
Phase 3 ESSENCE Trial Explores Liver Health Benefits
Another important component of Novo Nordisk’s presentation programme involves new analyses from the Phase 3 ESSENCE trial, which evaluates semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with MASH and moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis. The ongoing study enrolled 1,197 participants who were randomised to receive once-weekly semaglutide or placebo alongside standard care. Researchers are investigating whether semaglutide can improve liver histology and reduce the risk of liver-related clinical complications. The newly announced post-hoc analysis focuses on participants with a body mass index (BMI) below 27 kg/m², examining changes in liver-related parameters compared with placebo. This research is particularly relevant because MASH can also affect individuals who do not meet conventional obesity criteria. The oral presentation is scheduled for November 8, 2026. The company will additionally present research addressing healthcare resource utilisation, disease awareness and the clinical burden associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and MASH. These findings aim to contribute to a broader understanding of disease identification, diagnosis and management. The ESSENCE research programme provides important clinical evidence about semaglutide’s potential role in managing MASH, although the newly announced subgroup findings are exploratory and should be interpreted accordingly.
Advertisement
Investigational Efruxifermin Advances Liver Fibrosis Research
Novo Nordisk will also present four scientific abstracts involving efruxifermin, an investigational fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) analogue being studied for its potential effects on liver disease. The research includes new analyses from the Phase 2b SYMMETRY trial, which evaluated efruxifermin in patients with compensated MASH-related cirrhosis. One presentation will examine fibrosis improvements among participants with multiple cardiometabolic conditions, while another will explore histological changes using artificial intelligence-based analysis. Additional research will investigate the molecular mechanisms associated with efruxifermin-mediated improvements in liver health, including its effects on cellular processes involved in liver fibrosis. The programme also includes an investigation of non-invasive fibrosis biomarkers involving zalfermin, cagrilintide and semaglutide in alcohol-related liver disease. These studies reflect growing interest in developing treatments that address the biological mechanisms underlying chronic liver damage. Efruxifermin remains investigational, and its safety and efficacy have not been established through regulatory approval. Through its presentations at AASLD 2026, Novo Nordisk aims to strengthen scientific understanding of MASH and explore potential therapeutic approaches across different stages of liver disease. The research may help guide future clinical development and support improved disease management strategies.
Source: Novo Nordisk press release
