Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseasePhase 2NCT05877547
A Clinical Study of Efinopegdutide in Participants With Precirrhotic Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) (MK-6024-013)
A Phase 2 study testing Efinopegdutide and Semaglutide in people with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Fatty Liver, Nonalcoholic, run by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC at 175 sites in 26 countries.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to learn how well efinopegdutide works compared to placebo in people who have non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Researchers will also learn about the safety and benefit of efinopegdutide and how well people tolerate the medicine. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Fatty Liver, Nonalcoholic, NAFLD
- What is being tested?
- Efinopegdutide and Semaglutide
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 381 participants
- Where
- 175 sitesin 26 countries
- Study dates
- 23 Jun 2023to 29 Dec 2025
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Histological confirmation of NASH, defined as NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) ≥4 with a score ≥1 point in each component (steatosis, ballooning, and lobular inflammation) AND NASH clinical research network (CRN) fibrosis score of Stage 2 or 3
- No history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) OR a history of T2DM with an A1C ≤9% that is controlled by diet or stable doses of antihyperglycemic agents (AHAs)
- Participants in South Korea are eligible between the ages of 19 to 80 years of age (inclusive)
Who cannot join
- History of liver disease other than NASH
- History or evidence of cirrhosis
- History of pancreatitis
- History of Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), diabetic ketoacidosis, or diabetes secondary to pancreatectomy
- History of a bariatric surgical procedure ≤5 years before study entry, or a known clinically significant gastric emptying abnormality
- Has significant systemic or major illnesses, including recent events (≤6 months before study entry) of congestive heart failure, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, arterial revascularization, stroke, or transient ischemic attack
Trial locations and contacts
175 sites in 26 countries.
175 sites in 26 countries
United States42 sites
Om Research - Apple Valley ( Site 3244)
Apple Valley, California, 92307
Velocity Clinical Research, Austin ( Site 3235)
Austin, Texas, 78759
Excel Medical Clinical Trials ( Site 3246)
Boca Raton, Florida, 33434
Synergy Healthcare ( Site 3286)
Bradenton, Florida, 34208
Synergy Healthcare LLC ( Site 3290)
Brandon, Florida, 33511
South Texas Research Institute - Brownsville ( Site 3285)
Brownsville, Texas, 78520
Om Research LLC ( Site 3245)
Camarillo, California, 93012
The Institute for Liver Health II dba Arizona Clinical Trial-The Institute for Liver Health ( Site 3
Chandler, Arizona, 85224
Eagle Clinical Research ( Site 3233)
Chicago, Illinois, 60621
Velocity Clinical Research, Cincinnati ( Site 3237)
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45242
Top Medical Research ( Site 3209)
Cutler Bay, Florida, 33189
Velocity Clinical Research, Dallas ( Site 3220)
Dallas, Texas, 75230
Southeast Clinical Research Center ( Site 3288)
Dalton, Georgia, 30720
Velocity Clinical Research, Providence ( Site 3222)
East Greenwich, Rhode Island, 02818
Velocity Clinical Research, Syracuse ( Site 3227)
East Syracuse, New York, 13057
Covenant Metabolic Specialists, LLC ( Site 3231)
Fort Myers, Florida, 33912
Velocity Clinical Research, Gardena ( Site 3225)
Gardena, California, 90247
Velocity Clinical Research, Hallandale Beach ( Site 3241)
Hallandale, Florida, 33009
Indago Research & Health Center, Inc ( Site 3207)
Hialeah, Florida, 33012
Sweet Hope Research Specialty, Inc-Research ( Site 3200)
Hialeah, Florida, 33016
Houston Research Institute ( Site 3262)
Houston, Texas, 77079
Velocity Clinical Research, Huntington Park ( Site 3217)
Huntington Park, California, 90255
University of Iowa ( Site 3213)
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
Kansas City Research Institute ( Site 3249)
Kansas City, Missouri, 64131
Velocity Clinical Research, San Diego ( Site 3226)
La Mesa, California, 91942
Florida Research Institute ( Site 3243)
Lakewood Rch, Florida, 34211
Om Research LLC ( Site 3229)
Lancaster, California, 93534
The Machuca Foundation ( Site 3234)
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89101
Velocity Clinical Research, Westlake ( Site 3216)
Los Angeles, California, 90057
Genoma Research Group ( Site 3242)
Miami, Florida, 33173
Floridian Clinical Research, LLC ( Site 3203)
Miami Lakes, Florida, 33016-1518
New York Gastroenterology Associates ( Site 3252)
New York, New York, 10075
Velocity Clinical Research, Panorama City ( Site 3214)
Panorama City, California, 91402
California Liver Research Institute ( Site 3232)
Pasadena, California, 91105
The Institute for Liver Health II dba Arizona Clinical Trials - Peoria ( Site 3289)
Peoria, Arizona, 85381
Gastroenterology Consultants of Southwest Virginia ( Site 3282)
Roanoke, Virginia, 24014
Clinical Trials Research ( Site 3230)
Sacramento, California, 95821
American Research Corporation ( Site 3202)
San Antonio, Texas, 78215
Pinnacle Clinical Research ( Site 3284)
San Antonio, Texas, 78229
The Institute for Liver Health II dba Arizona Liver Health-Tucson ( Site 3218)
Tucson, Arizona, 85712
Del Sol Research Management, LLC ( Site 3211)
Tucson, Arizona, 85715
Velocity Clinical Research, Salt Lake City ( Site 3223)
West Jordan, Utah, 84088
Japan21 sites
Fukuiken Saiseikai Hospital ( Site 1507)
Fukui, 918-8503
Gifu Municipal Hospital ( Site 1506)
Gifu, 500-8513
Nara Medical University Hospital ( Site 1513)
Kashihara, Nara, 634-0813
Toranomon Hospital Kajigaya ( Site 1502)
Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 105-8470
Shinyurigaoka General Hospital ( Site 1518)
Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 215-0026
St. Marianna University Hospital ( Site 1516)
Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 216-8511
Kagawa University Hospital ( Site 1515)
Kita, Kagawa-ken, 761-0701
Kurume University Hospital ( Site 1504)
Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011
University Hospital,Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine ( Site 1519)
Kyoto, 602-8566
Shinshu University Hospital ( Site 1512)
Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621
Toranomon Hospital ( Site 1501)
Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8470
Ogaki Municipal Hospital ( Site 1511)
Ōgaki, Gifu, 503-0864
Kawasaki Medical School General Medical Center ( Site 1508)
Okayama, 700-8505
Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital ( Site 1520)
Osaka, 545-8586
Saga University Hospital ( Site 1510)
Saga, 849-8501
Sapporo Kosei General Hospital ( Site 1521)
Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0033
Osaka Saiseikai Suita Hospital ( Site 1503)
Suita, Osaka, 564-0013
Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital ( Site 1514)
Takamatsu, Kagawa-ken, 760-8557
Japanese Red Cross Musashino Hospital ( Site 1517)
Tokyo, 180-8610
Ehime University Hospital ( Site 1509)
Tōon, Ehime, 7910295
Yokohama City University Hospital ( Site 1505)
Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004
France10 sites
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Angers-Hepato Gastroenterology ( Site 0900)
Angers, Maine-et-Loire, 49933
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Estaing ( Site 0913)
Clermont-Ferrand, Puy-de-Dome, 63100
Hôpital Beaujon-Hépatologie ( Site 0908)
Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, 92110
Hôpital de la Croix Rousse-Centre de Recherche Clinique ( Site 0911)
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, 69004
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice - Hôpital l'Archet-Pôle de Référence Hépato Gastro-entérol
Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, 06202
Hôpital Saint Antoine ( Site 0914)
Paris, 75571
Hopitaux Universitaires Paris Centre-Hopital Cochin-Service HEPATOLOGIE- Recherche Clinique ( Site 0
Paris, 75679
CHU Bordeaux Haut-Leveque-Service d'Hépato-gastroentérologie ( Site 0904)
Pessac, Aquitaine, 33600
centre hospitalier lyon sud-Endocrinologie, Diabète et Nutrition ( Site 0906)
Pierre-Bénite, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, 69494 Cédex
CHU Charles Nicolle ( Site 0910)
Rouen, Haute-Normandie, 76000
Spain10 sites
CHUAC-Complejo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña-Endocrinología ( Site 2511)
A Coruña, La Coruna, 15006
Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron-Liver Unit - Department of Internal Medicine ( Site 2507)
Barcelona, 08035
Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal ( Site 2508)
Madrid, Madrid, Comunidad de, 28034
Hospital Universitario La Paz-HEPATOLOGIA ( Site 2509)
Madrid, 28046
HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARIO PUERTA DE HIERRO MAJADAHONDA-Gastroenterologia y Hepatologia ( Site 2500)
Madrid, 28222
Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria-UGC Endocrinologia y nutricion ( Site 2506)
Málaga, Andalusia, 29010
Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla-Gastroenterology and Hepatology ( Site 2505)
Santander, Cantabria, 39005
CHUS - Hospital Clinico Universitario ( Site 2503)
Santiago de Compostela, La Coruna, 15706
HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARIO VIRGEN DEL ROCIO-Unidad de Ensayos Clínicos de Aparato Digestivo ( Site 2504)
Seville, 41013
Hospital General de Tomelloso-Aparato Digestivo ( Site 2514)
Tomelloso, Ciudad Real, 13700
China9 sites
Beijing Youan Hospital ( Site 0602)
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100069
Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital ( Site 0606)
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 102218
West China Hospital, Sichuan University ( Site 0611)
Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041
The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University ( Site 0603)
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080
Southern Medical University Nanfang Hospital ( Site 0601)
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515
No. 2 Hospital of Nanjing ( Site 0605)
Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210037
Tianjin Second People's Hospital ( Site 0604)
Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, 300192
Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital ( Site 0607)
Wanzhou, Chongqing Municipality, 404000
The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University ( Site 0609)
Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000
Mexico8 sites
ICARO Investigaciones en Medicina ( Site 1608)
Chihuahua City, 31000
Centro de Investigación y Gastroenterología ( Site 1601)
Cuauhtémoc, 06700
Medica Sur-Clinica de Enfermedades Digestivas y Obesidad ( Site 1603)
Mexico City, Mexico City, 14050
Centro de Investigación y Gastroenterología - S.C. ( Site 1609)
Mexico City, 03330
Hospital Universitario "Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez" ( Site 1604)
Monterrey, Nuevo León, 64460
Servicios de Oncología Médica Integral - Monterrey ( Site 1611)
Monterrey, Nuevo León, 66220
Oaxaca Site Management Organization ( Site 1613)
Oaxaca City, 68000
Centro de Investigacion Clinica de Oaxaca ( Site 1607)
Oaxaca City, 68020
Israel7 sites
Barzilai Medical Center ( Site 1306)
Ashkelon, 7830604
Rambam Health Care Campus ( Site 1304)
Haifa, 3109601
Carmel Hospital ( Site 1305)
Haifa, 3436212
Shaare Zedek Medical Center-Liver Unit ( Site 1302)
Jerusalem, 9778419
Rabin Medical Center ( Site 1301)
Petah Tikva, 4941 492
Sheba Medical Center ( Site 1300)
Ramat Gan, 5265601
Maccabi Health Services - Ramat Hasharon ( Site 1303)
Ramat HaSharon, 4731001
Taiwan7 sites
Changhua Christian Hospital-Endocrinology and metabolism ( Site 2704)
Changhua County, Changhua, 50006
Chiayi Christian Hospital ( Site 2707)
Chiayi City, Chiayi, 600
Taichung Veterans General Hospital ( Site 2703)
Taichung, 407
National Cheng Kung University Hospital-Liver Research team of National Cheng Kung University Hospi
Tainan, 704
National Taiwan University Hospital-Internal Medicine ( Site 2700)
Taipei, 10002
Taipei Veterans General Hospital-Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine (
Taipei, 11217
Chang Gung Medical Foundation-Linkou Branch ( Site 2702)
Taoyuan, 33305
Colombia6 sites
Fundacion Santa Fe de Bogota ( Site 0701)
Bogotá, Cundinamarca, 110111
Solano & Terront Servicios Medicos - UNIENDO ( Site 0705)
Bogotá, Cundinamarca, 110221
Fundación Valle del Lili ( Site 0700)
Cali, Valle del Cauca Department, 760026
Fundación Centro de Investigación Clínica CIC ( Site 0704)
Medellín, Antioquia, 050021
Oncomédica S.A.S ( Site 0702)
Montería, Departamento de Córdoba, 230002
Sociedad De Oncología y Hematología Del Cesar SAS ( Site 0708)
Valledupar, Cesar Department, 200001
Canada5 sites
Heritage Medical Research Clinic ( Site 0403)
Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6
McGill University Health Centre ( Site 0400)
Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1
Diex Recherche Quebec Inc. ( Site 0409)
Québec, Quebec, G1V 4T3
Toronto General Hospital ( Site 0402)
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4
Vancouver General Hospital-Gastroenterology ( Site 0408)
Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 1M9
Italy5 sites
Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico ( Site 1403)
Milan, Lombardy, 20122
A.O.U. Policlinico Paolo Giaccone-Dep. Of Internal Medicine and Specialistic ( Site 1402)
Palermo, Sicily, 90127
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS -Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Gas
Rome, Lazio, 00168
Humanitas-Medicina interna ed Epatologia ( Site 1400)
Rozzano, Lombardy, 20089
Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della-S.C. Gastroenterologia U. ( Site 1401)
Torino, 10126
Turkey (Türkiye)5 sites
Hacettepe Universite Hastaneleri-internal diseases ( Site 2901)
Ankara, 06230
Bezmialem Vakf Üniversitesi-Gastroenterology ( Site 2903)
Istanbul, 34093
T.C. Sağlik Bakanliği- Marmara Üniversitesi İstanbul Pendik -T.C. Sağlik Bakanliği- Marmara Ünivers
Istanbul, 34899
Dokuz Eylul Universitesi Hastanesi-Gastroenterology ( Site 2905)
Izmir, 35340
Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Training and Research Hospital ( Site 2900)
Rize, 53100
United Kingdom5 sites
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary-Department of Gastroenterology ( Site 3004)
Aberdeen, Scotland, AB25 2ZN
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham ( Site 3000)
Birmingham, Warwickshire, B15 2TH
St James's University Hospital ( Site 3005)
Leeds, LS9 7TF
Royal London Hospital ( Site 3003)
London, England, E1 1BB
King's College Hospital ( Site 3002)
London, London, City of, SE5 9RL
Portugal4 sites
Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Ave - Hospital Senhora da Oliveira ( Site 1905)
Guimarães, Braga District, 4835-044
Unidade Local de Saude Lisboa Ocidental - Hospital Egas Moniz ( Site 1906)
Lisbon, Lisbon District, 1349-019
Unidade Local de Saude de Santa Maria - Hospital de Santa Maria ( Site 1904)
Lisbon, Lisbon District, 1649-035
ULSAM - Hospital de Santa Luzia ( Site 1907)
Viana do Castelo, 4904 - 858
Puerto Rico4 sites
ISIS CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER ( Site 2006)
Guaynabo, 00968
Pan American Center for Oncology Trials ( Site 2000)
Rio Piedras, 00935
Klinical Investigations Group-Clinical Research ( Site 2001)
San Juan, 00909
Latin Clinical Trial Center ( Site 2004)
San Juan, 00909
South Korea4 sites
Boramae Medical Center-Internal Medicine ( Site 2403)
Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 07061
Inha University Hospital-Gastroenterolgy/Hepatology ( Site 2402)
Incheon, 22332
Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System ( Site 2401)
Seoul, 03722
Samsung Medical Center-Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine ( Site 2400)
Seoul, 06351
Belgium3 sites
Antwerp University Hospital-Gastr-enterologie/hepatologie ( Site 3300)
Edegem, Antwerpen, 2650
AZ Maria Middelares-Digestief Centrum ( Site 3301)
Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, 9000
UZ Leuven-Hepatology ( Site 3302)
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, 3001
Chile3 sites
Enroll SpA ( Site 0501)
Providencia, Region M. de Santiago, 7500587
CECIM ( Site 0500)
Santiago, Region M. de Santiago, 8320000
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile-CICUC ( Site 0502)
Santiago, Region M. de Santiago, 8330032
Czechia3 sites
Krajská nemocnice Liberec ( Site 0800)
Liberec, 460 63
KlinMed ( Site 0801)
Prague, Praha 2, 120 00
Vseobecna fakultni nemocnice v Praze ( Site 0802)
Prague, 128 08
Peru3 sites
CLINICA DELGADO-Clinical Research ( Site 1800)
Miraflores, Lima region, 15074
Instituto Médico Soy Diabetico ( Site 1804)
Piura, 20009
Centro de investigacion Clínica Trujillo ( Site 1802)
Trujillo, La Libertad, 13001
Switzerland3 sites
Fondazione Epatocentro Ticino ( Site 2602)
Lugano, Canton Ticino, 6900
Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen-Klinik für Gastroenterologie / Hepatologie ( Site 2601)
Sankt Gallen, Canton of St. Gallen, 9007
UniversitätsSpital Zürich-Gastroenterologie & Hepatologie ( Site 2603)
Zurich, Canton of Zurich, 8091
Thailand3 sites
Chulalongkorn University ( Site 2800)
Bangkok, Bangkok, 10330
Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital-Department of Medicine ( Site 2802)
Bangkok, Bangkok, 10700
Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital ( Site 2801)
Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200
Hungary2 sites
SYNEXUS Magyarország Kft. Eü. ( Site 1110)
Budapest, 1036
Dél-Pesti Centrumkórház-Hepatologiai Szakrendekő ( Site 1102)
Budapest, 1097
Austria1 site
Medizinische Universität Graz-Department of Internal Medicine ( Site 0302)
Graz, Styria, 8036
Singapore1 site
Singapore General Hospital ( Site 2188)
Singapore, Central Singapore, 169608
About this study
Official title: A Phase 2b Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Efinopegdutide (MK-6024) in Adults With Precirrhotic Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
The purpose of this study is to learn how well efinopegdutide works compared to placebo in people who have non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Researchers will also learn about the safety and benefit of efinopegdutide and how well people tolerate the medicine. The main goal of the study is to compare how many people taking efinopegdutide or placebo stop showing evidence of NASH without liver scarring getting worse.
- Conditions
- Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Fatty Liver, Nonalcoholic, NAFLD, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
- Being tested
- Efinopegdutide, Semaglutide, Placebo
- Medical subject headings
- Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
EfinopegdutideDrug
Also called MK-6024, HM12525A, JNJ-64565111
Subcutaneous (SC) injection in dose-escalation regimens potentially including doses of 2 mg, 4 mg, 7 mg, and 10 mg
SemaglutideDrug
Also called Wegovy
SC injection in a dose-escalation regimen of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg
PlaceboDrug
SC injection of matching placebo
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Efinopegdutide 4mg | Experimental | Efinopegdutide administered by subcutaneous (SC) injection once weekly for 52 weeks in a dose-escalation regimen of 2 mg for 4 weeks and 4mg for 48 weeks. Receives: Drug: Efinopegdutide |
| Efinopegdutide 7mg | Experimental | Efinopegdutide administered by SC injection once weekly for 52 weeks in a dose-escalation regimen of 2 mg for 4 weeks, 4 mg for 4 weeks, and 7 mg for 44 weeks. Receives: Drug: Efinopegdutide |
| Efinopegdutide 10mg | Experimental | Efinopegdutide administered by SC injection once weekly for 52 weeks in a dose-escalation regimen of 2 mg for 4 weeks, 4 mg for 4 weeks, 7 mg for 4 weeks, and 10 mg for 40 weeks. Receives: Drug: Efinopegdutide |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Placebo administered by SC injection once weekly for 52 weeks Receives: Drug: Placebo |
| Semaglutide 2.4 mg | Active comparator | Semaglutide administered by SC injection once weekly for 52 weeks in a dose-escalation regimen of 0.25 mg for 4 weeks, 0.5 mg for 4 weeks, 1.0 mg for 4 weeks, 1.7 mg for 4 weeks, and 2.4 mg for 36 weeks. Receives: Drug: Semaglutide |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Percentage of Participants With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) Resolution Without Worsening of Fibrosis At Week 52
The NASH Clinical Research Network (CRN) scoring system evaluated by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) is used to assess treatment response. The NASH CRN scoring scales are: lobular inflammation score (0-3); hepatocyte ballooning score (0-2); steatosis score (0-3); and fibrosis score (0-4). NASH resolution is defined as a score of 0-1 for inflammation, 0 for ballooning, and any grade of steatosis.
Measured: Week 52
Percentage of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE)
An adverse event (AE) is a health problem that happens or worsens during a study.
Measured: Up to 60 weeks
Percentage of Participants Discontinuing Study Medication Due to an AE
An adverse event (AE) is a health problem that happens or worsens during a study.
Measured: Up to 52 weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
Percentage of Participants With ≥1 Stage Improvement in Fibrosis Without Worsening of Steatohepatitis At Week 52
Participants will be assessed using the NASH CRN scoring system evaluated by BICR for ≥1-stage improvement in fibrosis without worsening of steatohepatitis. Fibrosis is scored from stage 0 to 4 where 0 = None, 1=Perisinusoidal OR periportal, 2=Perisinusoidal AND portal/periportal, 3= Bridging fibrosis, 4=Cirrhosis. No worsening of steatohepatitis is defined as no increase in the ballooning, inflammation, or steatosis scores.
Measured: Week 52
Change from Baseline in Body Weight At Week 52
Body weight (kg) will be measured using a standardized, digital scale. The percent change from baseline in body weight after 52 weeks will be reported.
Measured: Week 52
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 May 2023
- Study start23 Jun 2023
- Primary completion29 Dec 2025
- Study completion29 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLCThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 381 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Medical Director, Study director, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05877547
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 6024-013
- Other IDs
- 2022-502647-35-00, MK-6024-013, jRCT2031230187, U1111-1285-0933
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 17 May 2023
- Last updated
- 12 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: https://trialstransparency.msdclinicaltrials.com/pdf/ProcedureAccessClinicalTrialData.pdf
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Phase 2b Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Efinopegdutide (MK-6024) in Adults With Precirrhotic Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05877547
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 6024-013
- Conditions
- Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Fatty Liver, Nonalcoholic, NAFLD, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 381 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Merck Sharp & Dohme LLCIndustry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- 23 Jun 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 29 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 29 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 26 May 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to learn how well efinopegdutide works compared to placebo in people who have non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Researchers will also learn about the safety and benefit of efinopegdutide and how well people tolerate the medicine. The main goal of the study is to compare how many people taking efinopegdutide or placebo stop showing evidence of NASH without liver scarring getting worse.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 5
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Efinopegdutide 4mg | Experimental | Drug: EfinopegdutideEfinopegdutide administered by subcutaneous (SC) injection once weekly for 52 weeks in a dose-escalation regimen of 2 mg for 4 weeks and 4mg for 48 weeks. |
| Efinopegdutide 7mg | Experimental | Drug: EfinopegdutideEfinopegdutide administered by SC injection once weekly for 52 weeks in a dose-escalation regimen of 2 mg for 4 weeks, 4 mg for 4 weeks, and 7 mg for 44 weeks. |
| Efinopegdutide 10mg | Experimental | Drug: EfinopegdutideEfinopegdutide administered by SC injection once weekly for 52 weeks in a dose-escalation regimen of 2 mg for 4 weeks, 4 mg for 4 weeks, 7 mg for 4 weeks, and 10 mg for 40 weeks. |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Drug: PlaceboPlacebo administered by SC injection once weekly for 52 weeks |
| Semaglutide 2.4 mg | Active comparator | Drug: SemaglutideSemaglutide administered by SC injection once weekly for 52 weeks in a dose-escalation regimen of 0.25 mg for 4 weeks, 0.5 mg for 4 weeks, 1.0 mg for 4 weeks, 1.7 mg for 4 weeks, and 2.4 mg for 36 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Histological confirmation of NASH, defined as NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) ≥4 with a score ≥1 point in each component (steatosis, ballooning, and lobular inflammation) AND NASH clinical research network (CRN) fibrosis score of Stage 2 or 3
- No history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) OR a history of T2DM with an A1C ≤9% that is controlled by diet or stable doses of antihyperglycemic agents (AHAs)
- Participants in South Korea are eligible between the ages of 19 to 80 years of age (inclusive)
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- History of liver disease other than NASH
- History or evidence of cirrhosis
- History of pancreatitis
- History of Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), diabetic ketoacidosis, or diabetes secondary to pancreatectomy
- History of a bariatric surgical procedure ≤5 years before study entry, or a known clinically significant gastric emptying abnormality
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| EfinopegdutideAlso: MK-6024, HM12525A, JNJ-64565111Subcutaneous (SC) injection in dose-escalation regimens potentially including doses of 2 mg, 4 mg, 7 mg, and 10 mg | Drug | Efinopegdutide 10mg, Efinopegdutide 4mg, Efinopegdutide 7mg |
| SemaglutideAlso: WegovySC injection in a dose-escalation regimen of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg | Drug | Semaglutide 2.4 mg |
| PlaceboSC injection of matching placebo | Drug | Placebo |
Primary outcome
Percentage of Participants With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) Resolution Without Worsening of Fibrosis At Week 52
Time frame: Week 52
The NASH Clinical Research Network (CRN) scoring system evaluated by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) is used to assess treatment response. The NASH CRN scoring scales are: lobular inflammation score (0-3); hepatocyte ballooning score (0-2); steatosis score (0-3); and fibrosis score (0-4). NASH resolution is defined as a score of 0-1 for inflammation, 0 for ballooning, and any grade of steatosis.
Percentage of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE)
Time frame: Up to 60 weeks
An adverse event (AE) is a health problem that happens or worsens during a study.
Percentage of Participants Discontinuing Study Medication Due to an AE
Time frame: Up to 52 weeks
An adverse event (AE) is a health problem that happens or worsens during a study.
2 secondary outcomes
Percentage of Participants With ≥1 Stage Improvement in Fibrosis Without Worsening of Steatohepatitis At Week 52
Time frame: Week 52
Change from Baseline in Body Weight At Week 52
Time frame: Week 52
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 Jan 2026.
- Merck Clinical Trials InformationLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. https://trialstransparency.msdclinicaltrials.com/pdf/ProcedureAccessClinicalTrialData.pdf
Related trials for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Not yet recruiting
Efficacy of Carnitine Complex in Improving Hepatic Steatosis in Potential Liver Donors
Hepatic Steatosis, Fatty Liver
Recruiting
NAFLD Clinical Care Pathway
NAFLD, MASLD
RecruitingPhase 3
Trial to Evaluate ALN-CIDEB in Adults With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, MASLD
RecruitingPhase 1
A Study of Efimosfermin Alfa in Adults With Hepatic Impairment
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
RecruitingPhase 2
A Study of Efimosfermin Alfa in Participants With Biopsy-confirmed Cirrhosis (Compensated) Due to MASH
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Medical Director study director
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
175 sites in 26 countries: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2 study testing Efinopegdutide and Semaglutide in people with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Fatty Liver, Nonalcoholic, run by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC at 175 sites in 26 countries.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 175 sites in United States, Japan, France, Spain, China and 21 more countries. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Percentage of Participants With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) Resolution Without Worsening of Fibrosis At Week 52 (time frame: Week 52). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Jan 2026.