Germany's financial markets watchdog is looking at whether Bayer fairly disclosed plans for shareholder approval of a capital increase.

Roche acquired rights to an obesity therapy by Danish biotech firm Zealand Pharma in a collaboration deal worth up to $5.3 billion, as the Swiss pharmaceutical company seeks to boost its prospects in the booming weight-loss market.

Roche Holding said it would pay Danish biotechnology research company Zealand Pharma up to $5.3 billion under an agreement to co-develop a weight-loss treatment.

Roche RHHBY announced that it has entered into an exclusive collaboration and licensing agreement with Zealand Pharma for an obesity candidate. Per the terms of the agreement, both companies will develop and commercialize petrelintide,

Roche has parted with $1.4 billion upfront to secure rights to an obesity candidate developed by Zealand Pharma, taking its tally of weight-loss candidates in clinical development to five.

Roche and Zealand Pharma inked a $5.3 billion deal Wednesday to collaborate on a weight-loss drug in the amylin class.

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) stock gains as Roche (RHHBY) and Zealand Pharma's (ZLDPF) $5.3B deal for obesity drugs lifts weight loss drug stocks. Read more here.