Top 10 Liver Disease News stories of 2025
Our most-read stories cover rising fatty liver rates, promising hepatitis B therapies
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Throughout 2025, the team at Liver Disease News has reported on the latest research and advances in care related to various rare and non-rare liver diseases.
We have compiled a list of the 10 most-read stories we published in 2025, each accompanied by a summary. We look forward to continuing to serve as a resource for the liver disease community this year and in the years to come.
No. 10 – Analysis indirectly compares second-line PBC treatments
Researchers in the U.S. and Italy conducted a meta-analysis of data from three Phase 3 clinical trials testing second-line treatments for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a liver condition marked by chronic inflammation in tubes that transport the digestive fluid bile. The indirect comparison of trial data showed that Iqirvo (elafibranor) may be superior to Livdelzi (seladelpar) in reducing markers of liver damage, but Livdelzi may be more effective at relieving itching, a common and debilitating symptom. The analysis also highlighted safety concerns with Ocaliva (obeticholic acid), a second-line treatment for PBC that was previously withdrawn from the market.
No. 9 – Semaglutide for MASH up for approvals in US, Canada
Novo Nordisk announced early in 2025 that its under-the-skin formulation of semaglutide, at a dose of 2.4 mg, was being considered for approval in the U.S. and Canada for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). In people with this severe form of fatty liver disease, the buildup of liver fat leads to liver inflammation and scarring that can set the stage for liver cancer and liver failure. Later in the year, the therapy, sold as Wegovy, was approved in the U.S. and Canada for MASH patients with moderate to advanced liver scarring but no cirrhosis (irreversible liver scarring).
No. 8 – Testing moves forward for VRON-0200 as hepatitis B treatment
Virion Therapeutics announced in January that enrollment had started for the third and final group of participants in a Phase 1b clinical trial testing its experimental therapy VRON-0200 in adults with chronic hepatitis B. VRON-0200 is designed to be given in one or two injections to activate the immune system to clear the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that causes hepatitis B. The goal is to provide a functional cure, where the virus is no longer actively replicating or multiplying, and standard antiviral therapies can be stopped. The trial has since finished enrollment, and it is expected to be completed this year.
No. 7 – Rezdiffra may benefit MASH patients with early-stage cirrhosis
Rezdiffra (resmetirom), from Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, is approved in the U.S. for people with MASH who have moderate to advanced liver scarring but who do not have cirrhosis. Data from a subgroup of participants in a Phase 3 clinical trial showed that up to two years of Rezdiffra treatment reduced liver scarring for most people with MASH and compensated cirrhosis, when the liver is irreversibly scarred but is still functional. The findings highlight the therapy’s potential to benefit this subgroup of patients for whom there is no approved treatment.
No. 6 – Millions raised to help develop AHB-137 for hepatitis B
Ausperbio announced in late May that it had secured $50 million to further develop its investigational hepatitis B treatment, AHB-137. The therapy is designed to provide a functional cure by blocking the production of proteins that the HBV needs to survive. It is currently being tested, either alone or in combination with other treatments, in at least three Phase 2 clinical trials, all of which have now completed recruitment.
No. 5 – Phase 2b trial of AHB-137 finishes dosing
A China-based Phase 2b clinical trial testing AHB-137 alone in 86 adults with chronic hepatitis B finished dosing early in 2025. Interim trial data, announced a few months later, indicated that AHB-137 treatment suppressed HBV, with most treated participants showing no detectable signs of the virus. The study is expected to end by mid-2026.
No. 4 – Imdusiran-based therapies lead to functional cure in 8 patients
Arbutus Biopharma announced in May that eight people with chronic hepatitis B who were on combination regimens that included its experimental therapy imdusiran were able to achieve a functional cure. Imdusiran is designed to suppress HBV replication and production of key viral proteins. All patients were participating in one of two Phase 2a clinical trials testing imdusiran-based combination treatments.
No. 3 – Diabetes drug dapagliflozin may help treat MASH
Dapagliflozin is an approved diabetes medication that works to prompt the body to excrete more blood sugar in urine. The class of therapies that dapagliflozin belongs to has also been shown to lower liver fat and stiffness (an indicator of scarring). A Phase 3 trial tested dapagliflozin against a placebo in people with biopsy-proven MASH, including those with or without underlying diabetes. Results showed more than half of patients given dapagliflozin saw reductions in MASH severity without worsening of liver scarring, compared with less than a third of those given the placebo. While more studies are needed, the researchers said the data support dapagliflozin as a potential MASH treatment.
No. 2 – Study highlights rising rates of fatty liver disease in young people
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) refers to the buildup of liver fat that is typically associated with underlying metabolic issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure. A study analyzed rates of MASLD among adolescents and young adults from 1990 to 2021 and found that rates of this common form of fatty liver disease have been increasing over time, likely due to poor dietary habits and physical inactivity. The study estimated that, if current trends continue, 16% of young people will have MASLD by 2050.
No. 1 – Scientists call for better diagnosis of fatty liver disease
MASLD and MASH are among the most common forms of liver disease, but because these diseases don’t usually cause noticeable symptoms until very late stages, they can remain undiagnosed during the earlier periods when treatment is more effective. In a study published over the summer, an international team of scientists called for greater efforts to proactively diagnose these diseases so that treatment can be started before substantial damage has occurred. The scientists expressed optimism that the next decades will see advances in technology that, with enough effort, can be incorporated into standard medical care to help facilitate better outcomes for people with these diseases.
We hope these stories and our reporting at Liver Disease News have been helpful to the community, and we wish all our readers a fulfilling year ahead.
