09:47 AM EDT, 10/09/2025 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with Akero stock movement in the headline and first paragraph.)

Akero Therapeutics ( AKRO ) shares were up past 16% in recent Thursday trading after it said it will be acquired by Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) in a deal valued at up to $5.2 billion in cash.

Under the terms of the agreement, the company said its shareholders will receive $54 per share upfront and a non-transferable contingent value right entitling its holder to receive an additional $6 per share if Akero's drug, efruxifermin, receives full US approval for cirrhosis due to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis by June 30, 2031.

Akero said the transaction is expected to close by the end of the year.

Price: 59.04, Change: -0.57, Percent Change: -0.96