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NOVO.B-DK

AKRO

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Novo Nordisk said on Thursday it would buy U.S.-based Akero Therapeutics for up to $5.2 billion to gain access to a promising liver disease drug candidate, in the first major deal by the Danish drugmaker's new CEO to boost growth.

Mike Doustdar, who took the helm at the Wegovy maker in July, has been tasked with stemming market share losses to U.S. rival Eli Lilly . Last month, Novo said it would cut 9,000 jobs.

He has said the company would focus on developing the next generation of highly effective obesity and diabetes drugs that can also treat related cardiometabolic conditions, such as MASH, rather than expand into other disease areas.

Akero is testing its drug, efruxifer

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