May 9 (Reuters) - Novo Nordisk signed a

research tie-up with U.S. biotech firm Metaphore on Thursday to

develop next-generation obesity drugs.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Danish drugmaker Novo is trying to expand beyond its

blockbuster obesity drug Wegovy with at least eight other

treatments in its R&D pipeline for the condition.

The collaboration will use Metaphore's tech platform to

develop two therapies for obesity, the companies said.

CONTEXT

The global market for weight loss drugs is expected to reach

at least $100 billion by the end of the decade.

Novo in January announced research collaborations with two

biotech firms Omega Therapeutics ( OMGA ) and Cellarity, both of

which were founded by U.S. investment firm Flagship Pioneering.

Metaphore was also founded by Flagship.

BY THE NUMBERS

* Novo may pay up to $600 million in various milestone

payments, as well as royalties on annual net sales of licensed

products, Metaphore said.

* Novo's payments will be shared between Metaphore and

Flagship's research and partnership arm Pioneering Medicines.

(Reporting by Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil

D'Silva and Shounak Dasgupta)