Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk announced Friday that India’s national drug regulatory authority has granted approval for its popular obesity medication Wegovy to be used in treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis — commonly referred to as MASH — a severe form of fatty liver disease.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation gave the go-ahead for Wegovy’s 2.4 mg semaglutide injection specifically for MASH treatment, according to the company.
MASH develops when excess fat accumulates in the liver, triggering inflammation and causing liver damage. The condition falls within a wider category of fatty liver diseases and can worsen into more serious liver complications when left without treatment.
Novo Nordisk pointed out that approximately two out of every three people in India live with fatty liver disease, underscoring the enormous number of potential patients in the country who could benefit from the newly approved treatment.
The company also noted that MASH is often considered a silent disease — meaning most patients experience no noticeable symptoms until the condition has already reached an advanced stage.
Wegovy, which has become one of Novo Nordisk’s most high-profile medications, uses the active ingredient semaglutide and already carries approval in India and several other markets for long-term weight management.
The company faces stiff competition in India’s rapidly expanding obesity drug market, going up against Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro as well as lower-priced generic semaglutide products introduced by homegrown pharmaceutical firms including Dr Reddy’s and Sun Pharma.
Sales data from market research firm Pharmarack show Novo Nordisk moved approximately 76,000 units of Wegovy in India during the first half of 2026.
