Madrigal Expands MASH Pipeline with Exclusive Licensing Deal

Biopharmaceutical company secures rights to six preclinical siRNA programs to advance treatment options for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced an exclusive global license agreement with Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd. and its subsidiary Ribocure Pharmaceuticals AB for six preclinical small interfering RNA (siRNA) programs. This expands Madrigal's pipeline of MASH treatments, which now includes more than 10 programs at various stages of development, anchored by its approved medication Rezdiffra (resmetirom).

Why it matters

Madrigal is positioning itself as an industry leader in MASH treatment by diversifying its pipeline and exploring combination approaches that leverage different mechanisms of action, including the precision gene-silencing capabilities of siRNAs. As MASH awareness and prevalence grow, Madrigal aims to deliver a range of targeted therapies to address the complex, unmet medical needs of this serious liver disease.

The details

The six siRNA programs licensed from Ribo and Ribocure will undergo IND-enabling activities in 2026. Madrigal believes the precision of siRNA gene silencing, when combined with its approved medication Rezdiffra, has the potential to create the next generation of MASH treatments tailored to specific genetic drivers of the disease. In addition to the siRNA programs, Madrigal's MASH pipeline includes the GLP-1 receptor agonist MGL-2086 and the DGAT-2 inhibitor Ervogastat, which is planned to be studied in combination with Rezdiffra.

  • Madrigal will begin IND-enabling activities for the initial siRNA program candidates in 2026.
  • The company plans to conduct a drug-to-drug interaction study with Rezdiffra and consult with the FDA on the design of a Phase 2 combination trial for Ervogastat this year.

The players

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

A biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering novel therapeutics for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd.

A company that has granted Madrigal an exclusive global license to develop, manufacture and commercialize six preclinical siRNA compounds.

Ribocure Pharmaceuticals AB

A subsidiary of Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd. that has granted Madrigal the exclusive global license.

Bill Sibold

Chief Executive Officer of Madrigal Pharmaceuticals.

David Soergel, M.D.

Chief Medical Officer of Madrigal Pharmaceuticals.

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What they’re saying

“We believe meeting future patient needs in MASH will require combination approaches and treatments tailored to genetic drivers of disease. Madrigal is uniquely positioned to shape the future treatment landscape in this rapidly expanding market.”

— Bill Sibold, Chief Executive Officer (Globe Newswire)

“Our R&D strategy is focused on developing innovative compounds targeting validated mechanisms of disease, so we can deliver better outcomes for more patients with MASH. siRNAs are highly liver targeted, and there are several genes implicated in MASH that could be addressed with an mRNA-knockdown approach. The precision of siRNA gene silencing, combined with Rezdiffra, has the potential to create the next generation of MASH treatment: genetically targeted therapies for patients with unmet needs.”

— David Soergel, M.D., Chief Medical Officer (Globe Newswire)

What’s next

Madrigal will begin IND-enabling activities for the initial siRNA program candidates in 2026 and plans to conduct a drug-to-drug interaction study with Rezdiffra and consult with the FDA on the design of a Phase 2 combination trial for Ervogastat this year.

The takeaway

Madrigal is solidifying its position as an industry leader in MASH treatment by expanding its pipeline to include innovative, genetically targeted therapies like siRNAs, which it believes can be combined with its approved medication Rezdiffra to address the complex, unmet needs of patients with this serious liver disease.