India approves Wegovy for fatty liver disease treatment

India's drug regulator has approved Novo Nordisk's Wegovy to treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a serious fatty liver disease. The condition is widespread in India, with Novo Nordisk estimating two in three people are affected. This approval positions the drug in a competitive market against Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and lower-cost generics, after selling 76,000 units in the first half of 2026.

Wegovy approval for MASH

• ▪The approved dosage of Wegovy for MASH treatment is a 2.4 mg semaglutide injection.
• ▪MASH is a serious form of fatty liver disease caused by a buildup of fat in the liver that can lead to inflammation and liver damage.
• ▪India's drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, approved Novo Nordisk's drug Wegovy for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
• ▪Wegovy, which contains the active ingredient semaglutide, was already approved in India for chronic weight management.

Fatty liver disease in India

• ▪Fatty liver disease is often a silent condition, with symptoms typically not appearing until the disease has reached an advanced stage.
• ▪According to Novo Nordisk, approximately two in three people in India have fatty liver disease.
• ▪If left untreated, MASH can progress to more severe liver complications.

India obesity drug market

• ▪In India's obesity-drug market, Novo Nordisk's Wegovy competes with Eli Lilly's Mounjaro.
• ▪According to market researcher Pharmarack, about 76,000 units of Wegovy were sold in India during the first six months of 2026.
• ▪Local Indian drugmakers, including Dr Reddy's and Sun Pharma, have launched lower-cost generic semaglutide products.

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