Roche announced the acquisition of biotech firm 89bio in a deal valued up to $3.5 billion, including upfront and milestone payments. The deal centers on 89bio's lead asset pegozafermin, an analogue of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), currently in Phase III trials for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). This move strengthens Roche's cardiovascular and metabolic disease portfolio with hopes to address a large unmet need in MASH therapy.