As part of a definitive merger agreement, Roche has announced it will acquire 89bio, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company working on therapies for the treatment of liver and cardiometabolic diseases.
89bio’s treatment, pegozafermin, is currently in late-stage development for people with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH).
Pegozafermin is anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory, and could potentially deliver best-in-disease efficacy for patients. It is specifically designed to address critical unmet needs in MASH and it has a favourable safety profile.
“This acquisition further strengthens our portfolio in cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases and offers opportunities to explore combinations with existing programmes in our pipeline,” said Thomas Schinecker, Roche Group CEO. “We are highly encouraged by pegozafermin’s potential to become a transformative treatment option in MASH, one of the most prevalent comorbidities of obesity, and to meet diverse patient needs associated with this complex disease. With its combined anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory mechanism, pegozafermin could potentially offer best-in-disease efficacy for all moderate to severe MASH patients.”
This acquisition highlights Roche’s focus on advancing innovative therapies in cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases (CVRM), especially for patients affected by overweight, obesity and related health challenges such as MASH.
The deal is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with 89bio employees joining Roche’s Pharmaceuticals Division, part of the Roche Group.