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BASEL — Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche has agreed to acquire U.S.-based biotech firm 89bio in a deal valued at up to $3.5 billion, marking a strategic move into the rapidly expanding weight-loss therapeutics market.
The acquisition centers on 89bio’s lead candidate, pegozafermin, a novel compound in late-stage development for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and severe hypertriglyceridemia—conditions often linked to obesity and metabolic disorders. Analysts view the drug as a potential entrant into the competitive landscape of metabolic and weight-loss treatments, alongside GLP-1-based therapies.
Roche stated that the deal includes an upfront payment and milestone-based incentives, pending regulatory approvals and clinical outcomes. The company aims to integrate 89bio’s pipeline into its broader strategy to address cardiometabolic diseases, a sector projected to exceed $100 billion globally by 2030.
The transaction reflects growing investor interest in biotech firms developing next-generation weight-loss drugs, as demand surges and healthcare systems seek scalable solutions to obesity-related conditions.
Source: Roche Group; 89bio Inc.; industry analysts.
Roche Tower Basel Picture by Norbert Aepli, Switzerland
