Roche announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 89bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: ETNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for liver and cardiometabolic diseases. The deal includes 89bio’s lead candidate, pegozafermin, a late-stage FGF21 analog in development for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
The acquisition, expected to close in Q4 2025, reinforces Roche’s growing commitment to cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases (CVRM), with a particular focus on conditions linked to obesity and metabolic dysfunction, including MASH—a progressive liver disease formerly known as NASH.
“This acquisition strengthens our CVRM pipeline and opens the door for potential combination therapies,” said Thomas Schinecker, CEO of the Roche Group. “We see pegozafermin as a potentially transformative treatment for MASH, one of the most prevalent and complex comorbidities of obesity.”
Pegozafermin: A Key Asset in MASH Treatment
Pegozafermin is a glycoPEGylated analog of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), engineered to deliver anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects in patients with moderate to severe liver fibrosis (F2/F3) and cirrhotic MASH (F4). The compound is currently in Phase 3 clinical development and has shown promising safety and efficacy data that could position it as a best-in-class treatment.
Roche noted that pegozafermin’s distinct mechanism of action may enable future combination strategies, particularly with incretin-based therapies, offering potential synergies across its broader CVRM pipeline.
Strategic Fit with Roche’s CVRM Goals
The acquisition reflects Roche’s long-term strategy to build a robust and differentiated pipeline in metabolic diseases by addressing multiple pathways contributing to disease progression. With the global rise in obesity and related disorders, MASH represents a significant unmet medical need, with no currently approved treatments for advanced stages of the disease in many regions.
Integration Plans
Following the transaction’s close, 89bio employees will join Roche’s Pharmaceuticals Division, integrating into the company’s global R&D and commercial operations.