The revised nomenclature of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), rather than non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), appears to be taking hold among stakeholders in the liver disease space.

The results could help BI and Zealand Pharma challenge in the MASH field, though analysts are wary of claims around fibrosis improvement.

More than 100 biopharma executives and experts told Scrip their predictions for therapeutic area advances in the coming year. The recent commercial success of GLP-1s in diabetes and obesity and their potential in further disease areas fuelled excitement around the metabolic space. Expectations were also positive in neurology following the launch of Leqembi for Alzheimer’s disease in 2023, while the multiple opportunities to improve cancer treatment kept oncology top of the pile overall.

Licensing serves as a strategic R&D avenue for major developers amid a shrinking M&A market. In Vivo has detected five high-value unpartnered assets that might be the focus of dealmaking activity in the coming months.