Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), comprising a GDF15 (growth differentiation factor-15) variant, a long-acting GDF15 fusion protein, or a long-acting GDF15 fusion protein dimer as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A fusion protein including a GDF15 variant having increased physiological activity and in vivo stability, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same are disclosed. The GDF15 variant or long-acting GDF15 fusion protein is superior to conventional GDF15 variants in terms of in vitro efficacy, binding affinity for GDF15 receptors, and body weight loss effect. Therefore, a pharmaceutical composition containing, as an active ingredient, the GDF15 variant, the long-acting GDF15 fusion protein, or a dimer of the fusion protein, causes appetite suppression, and thus can be effectively used as a therapeutic agent for metabolic diseases or obesity. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical composition can be used in combination therapy or the like with chemical drugs and other therapeutic agents for metabolic diseases, and can be effectively used in combination therapy with conventional therapeutic agents for metabolic diseases or obesity.