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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
A promising new pill for fatty liver disease is showing real results. ALG-055009, a selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist, significantly reduced liver fat in adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) over just 12 weeks. Higher doses cut liver fat by over 30% in the majority of patients, with a safety profile comparable to placebo.
A new drug is making waves in the fight against fatty liver disease. ALG-055009, a selective thyroid hormone receptor beta (THR-β) agonist, demonstrated significant, dose-dependent reductions in liver fat compared to placebo in a phase 2a clinical trial (HERALD). The 12-week randomized, double-blind study enrolled 102 non-cirrhotic adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) across multiple U.S. sites.
The drug performed especially well at higher doses, with the 0.7 mg and 0.9 mg groups showing placebo-adjusted liver fat reductions of 33.2% and 31.6%, respectively. Beyond liver fat, the drug also reduced LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), and apolipoprotein B — a bonus for cardiovascular risk. Side effects were mostly mild to moderate, and no serious adverse events or deaths occurred in the treatment groups.
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Why it matters: MASH is a serious and growing liver condition with limited treatment options. A drug that reduces liver fat, improves atherogenic lipid profiles, and is well-tolerated could be a meaningful advance — though longer trials with liver biopsies are needed to confirm lasting benefit.
