Roche Acquires Liver Drug Developer 89bio for Up to $3.5B

Roche has agreed to acquire U.S. biotech firm 89bio for up to $3.5 billion, according to Reuters. This strategic move strengthens Roche's position in the competitive landscape of liver disease treatments and complements its recent significant investments in the weight-loss drug market. The acquisition grants Roche access to 89bio's promising drug candidate, pegozafermin. Currently in late-stage development, pegozafermin is being investigated as a treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a severe form of fatty liver disease. Roche emphasized that this acquisition demonstrates its commitment to developing advanced therapies for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases, with a particular focus on obesity-related conditions. This deal reflects a broader industry trend of heightened research and merger and acquisition (M&A) activity within the liver disease sector. Major pharmaceutical companies, including Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and GSK, are also actively pursuing the development of MASH treatments.