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Novo Nordisk has announced the acquisition of US biotech firm Akero Therapeutics for $4.7 billion, a strategic move to strengthen its pipeline in metabolic diseases. The deal centers on Akero's lead drug, efruxifermin, which shows promise in reversing liver damage associated with MASH, a condition often linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. This acquisition underscores Novo Nordisk's ambition to expand beyond its dominant weight-loss treatments into related comorbidities.

In a nutshell

This acquisition signifies Novo Nordisk's strategic diversification beyond GLP-1 agonists, targeting significant unmet needs in metabolic comorbidities like MASH. It highlights the increasing M&A activity in the biotech sector, driven by established pharma seeking innovative assets to maintain market leadership and address growing disease burdens.

Source: Medical Xpress