New Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR Class B (NVO.US) GLP-1 track wins again: Wegovy approved by the FDA for the treatment of liver disease, suitable for nearly 15 million American patients.

Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR Class B (NVO.US) best-selling weight-loss drug Wegovy has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of a serious liver disease. The company's move has beaten competitor Eli Lilly (LLY.US), making it the first to introduce the drug to the U.S. market, as this condition is becoming increasingly common in the United States. The drug is suitable for adult patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) related to metabolic dysfunction with moderate to severe fibrosis (stage 2 or 3). In a statement on Friday, the FDA stated that this condition affects about 6% of American adults, or approximately 14.9 million people. The drug is intended to be used in combination with a low-calorie diet and increased exercise. Accumulation of fat in the liver can lead to fatty liver, causing inflammation and potentially leading to more serious diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. This approval gives Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR Class B another first-mover advantage in this growing GLP-1 drug market. These drugs are popular for aiding weight control. New indications, such as this one for treating liver disease, have the potential to help Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR Class B expand its market share, as the company faces significant pressure for market expansion in the current competitive landscape (particularly from lower-priced generics and fierce competition from rival Eli Lilly). As of the time of writing, Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR Class B has risen by 7.14% after hours. Meanwhile, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals (MDGL.US), which is developing a treatment for the same condition, has fallen by approximately 7.53%. In a study, Wegovy improved the liver fibrosis condition in 37% of patients without exacerbating inflammation, while only 22% of patients receiving placebo treatment had improvement. The company stated in a statement that the proportion of patients experiencing relief of inflammation after taking the drug was nearly twice that of those taking a placebo. Martin Holst Lange, Chief Scientific Officer of Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR Class B, stated in a statement that approximately one-third of overweight or obese individuals are affected by this condition. He said Wegovy not only prevents the worsening of the condition in these patients but also helps repair the damage to the liver.