Roche to Acquire 89bio for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe MASH
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Roche has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 89bio.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a progressive form of fatty liver disease linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. It affects an estimated 5–7% of the global adult population, with more than three-quarters of patients also experiencing comorbidities such as overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes. If untreated, MASH can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma.
The company is focused on developing novel therapies for liver and cardiometabolic diseases. Its lead candidate, pegozafermin, is a fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) analogue currently in phase 3 development for patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and fibrosis (F2 and F3 stages) as well as cirrhosis (F4 stage).
The acquisition expands Roche’s portfolio in cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases (CVRM), particularly for patients affected by overweight, obesity and related complications such as MASH.
Pegozafermin has a dual anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory mechanism of action with a favourable safety profile, positioning it as a potential best-in-disease option for patients across all stages of moderate to severe MASH.
The therapy also offers opportunities for future development in combination with incretin-based treatments, creating potential synergies within Roche’s CVRM pipeline.
The transaction is expected to close in the final quarter of 2025.
Source: roche.com
