The logo of Swiss drugmaker Roche is seen at its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland January 30, 2020.
REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsZURICH, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Roche (ROG.S) agreed to take over obesity drug developer Carmot Therapeutics (CRMO.O) for $2.7 billion, joining a list global contestants seeking to challenge the dominant makers of weight-loss drugs Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO) and Eli Lilly.
After encouraging Phase I trial results, the drug is ready to be tested on humans in the second of three trial stages, Roche added.
Among recent deals to acquire obesity drug development projects, AstraZeneca (AZN.L) last month agreed to pay up to $2 billion for the rights to an experimental pill from China's Eccogene.
Roche will obtain access to Carmot's current R&D portfolio including all clinical and preclinical assets.
Persons:
drugmaker Roche, Arnd, ROG.S, Eli Lilly, Swiss drugmaker, Roche, . New Roche, Thomas Schinecker, Ludwig Burger, Noel Illien, Rachel More, Louise Heavens
Organizations:
REUTERS, Rights, Carmot Therapeutics, Novo Nordisk, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Thomson
Locations:
Basel, Switzerland, Swiss, ., Alzheimer's