Merck's Efinopegdutide Resolved MASH in 56% to 63% of Patients vs. 13% on Placebo in a 52-Week Phase 2b Trial
In the MK-6024-013 trial of 386 adults with biopsy-confirmed MASH and stage F2 or F3 liver fibrosis, once-weekly efinopegdutide, a GLP-1/glucagon receptor co-agonist licensed from Hanmi Pharmaceutical, resolved MASH without worsening fibrosis in 56%, 63%, and 61% of patients on 4, 7, and 10 mg vs. 13% on placebo, Merck said on November 9; fibrosis improved by at least one stage in 43%, 52%, and 34% vs. 21%. Nausea affected 29% to 44% of efinopegdutide patients vs. 39% on an open-label semaglutide 2.4 mg reference arm and 11% on placebo, and 11% on the 10 mg dose stopped because of side effects. The results were presented at The Liver Meeting in Denver and published in The Lancet.