Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) represents a significant and growing challenge to health systems worldwide. There is a large pipeline of new and relicensed medicines and treatments that could potentially launch in the UK over the next 5 years and go through the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) health technology evaluation process. To ensure robust and consistent evaluations in this rapidly evolving therapeutic area, the NICE HTA Innovation Laboratory (HTA Lab) co-developed specifications for economic models for MASH treatments by engaging with multiple stakeholders.
METHODS: Three engagement workshops were convened from January to March 2025 to discuss key issues that need to be addressed in cost-effectiveness models for MASH treatments. The first workshop, preceded by semi-structured interviews, was aimed at clinical experts, system partners and patient organisations. The second involved health economists, and the third was aimed at industry representatives. Draft modelling specifications were shared with stakeholders, with feedback used to reach a final set of specifications for an economic model concept for MASH treatments.
RESULTS: A total of 26 external participants contributed to the workshops, and the review of draft recommendations gathered feedback from individuals representing a total of 13 organisations across industry, NHS and HTA agencies. A final list of specifications for a model concept that is proportionate and appropriate for the decision problem was developed. Specifications included aspects around model structure, natural history, outcomes, subgroups, infrastructure costs and scenario analysis.
CONCLUSIONS: This HTA lab project demonstrated that there is value in early engagement with a diverse set of stakeholders to inform economic models for HTA of treatments within a certain disease area. Early engagement ensures that different perspectives are considered, and concerns addressed prior to entering the formal HTA process. It also minimises delays created by lack of alignment between stakeholders and lack of consistency across different appraisals.