New Study Reveals 3 Major Risk Factors for Deadly Liver Disease Affecting 1 in 5 People in the UK

A study of over 134,000 people found that high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and low HDL cholesterol levels increase the risk of death from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) by 40%, 25%, and 15%, respectively. The study also found that each additional metabolic risk factor adds another 15% to the risk of death. MASLD, which affects 1 in 5 people in the UK, often has no symptoms and is usually diagnosed during routine blood tests.

Roche has recently announced its acquisition of 89bio, a San Francisco-based biotechnology company, for a total of $2.4 billion. This acquisition, which includes the late-stage MASH drug pegozafermin, aims to expand Roche's portfolio in cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases Roche’s Metabolic Drug Strategy Extends to the Liver Disease MASH With $2.4B 89bio Acquisition^[1].

MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by fat buildup in the liver, leading to inflammation and liver scarring. The FDA has estimated that 14.9 million Americans have MASH, with severe cases potentially requiring organ transplants. Roche's acquisition of 89bio will bring a third medication to the market, offering a different mechanism of action than the existing treatments Roche’s Metabolic Drug Strategy Extends to the Liver Disease MASH With $2.4B 89bio Acquisition^[1].

Pegozafermin, the main asset of 89bio, is an engineered protein designed to mimic FGF21, a metabolic hormone secreted by the liver. This drug's long half-life allows for dosing by injection every two weeks. Roche expects preliminary data from a Phase 3 study assessing pegozafermin's effect on F2 or F3 fibrosis in the first half of 2027. Another Phase 3 test is enrolling F4 MASH patients, with data expected in the first half of 2028 Roche’s Metabolic Drug Strategy Extends to the Liver Disease MASH With $2.4B 89bio Acquisition^[1].

The acquisition includes a non-tradeable contingent value right that could potentially bring the deal value up to $3.5 billion. If pegozafermin achieves certain milestones, 89bio shareholders could receive up to $6 per share in cash. The first milestone, triggered by the first commercial sale of pegozafermin in F4 MASH cirrhotic patients, must be achieved by the end of the first quarter of 2030 Roche’s Metabolic Drug Strategy Extends to the Liver Disease MASH With $2.4B 89bio Acquisition^[1].

Roche's acquisition of 89bio is part of its strategy to diversify its therapeutic portfolio. Last year, Roche paid $2.3 billion to buy Carmot Therapeutics and $1.65 billion up front to begin a partnership with Zealand Pharma on an amylin-targeting drug for obesity. These deals, along with the 89bio acquisition, aim to strengthen Roche's position in the metabolic disease space Roche’s Metabolic Drug Strategy Extends to the Liver Disease MASH With $2.4B 89bio Acquisition^[1].

The study of over 134,000 people found that high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and low HDL cholesterol levels increase the risk of death from MASLD by 40%, 25%, and 15%, respectively. Each additional metabolic risk factor adds another 15% to the risk of death. MASLD, which affects 1 in 5 people in the UK, is often diagnosed during routine blood tests due to its asymptomatic nature MBX Biosciences to provide topline results from its phase 2 trial of Canvuparatide^[2].

The acquisition of 89bio by Roche is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, which licensed pegozafermin to 89bio in 2018, is eligible to receive royalties from sales if the drug reaches the market Roche’s Metabolic Drug Strategy Extends to the Liver Disease MASH With $2.4B 89bio Acquisition^[1].