Emcure Pharmaceuticals Launches Podiart for MASH Treatment Following CDSCO Approval of Semaglutide

Pune: Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited has expanded its presence in India’s rapidly growing metabolic disease market with the availability of Podiart®, its co-marketed brand of innovator semaglutide (rDNA origin), for the treatment of non-cirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in adults with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis (F2-F3).

The development follows the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) approval of Wegovy® for this indication, making innovator semaglutide from Novo Nordisk the first and only GLP-1 receptor agonist approved in India for the treatment of MASH. Through this expanded indication, Emcure aims to address a significant unmet need in liver disease management while strengthening its innovative therapies portfolio.

Addressing a Growing Healthcare Challenge

MASH is a progressive liver disease commonly associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic disorders. The condition often remains undiagnosed until liver damage has advanced, creating an urgent need for effective treatment options.

The approval is supported by results from the global Phase III ESSENCE clinical trial, which demonstrated the strong therapeutic potential of semaglutide.

Key findings from the study include:

• 63% of patients achieved resolution of steatohepatitis.
• 37% experienced improvement in liver fibrosis.
• One in three patients achieved both steatohepatitis resolution and fibrosis improvement.

These outcomes suggest that semaglutide can address the underlying disease process while also delivering metabolic benefits.

Management Commentary

Commenting on the development, Satish Mehta, CEO and Managing Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, said the approval represents an important milestone for patients living with MASH, a serious but frequently underdiagnosed liver disease.

He added that making the new indication available through Podiart® reinforces Emcure’s commitment to bringing globally validated and innovative therapies to patients across India.

Expanding Presence in Specialty Care

Emcure plans to leverage the strong gastroenterology and hepatology presence of its subsidiary Juantus Healthcare to increase awareness, improve diagnosis, and expand access to MASH treatment nationwide.

Podiart® is already approved in India for multiple indications, including:

• Chronic weight management
• Reduction of cardiovascular risk in eligible obese patients
• Treatment of adolescent obesity

The addition of MASH further broadens the product’s clinical applications and enhances Emcure’s position in the high-growth metabolic disease segment.

Growth Outlook

The latest approval strengthens Emcure Pharmaceuticals’ specialty care portfolio and provides access to a rapidly expanding therapeutic market driven by rising obesity and diabetes prevalence in India.

With an innovative treatment backed by strong clinical evidence, an established distribution network, and increasing physician awareness, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for advanced liver disease therapies while reinforcing its leadership in science-driven healthcare innovation.