Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche has agreed to acquire US biotech firm 89bio, a developer of therapies for liver and cardiometabolic diseases, in a transaction valued at up to about $3.5 billion. Roche said on Thursday it will pay $14.50 per 89bio share in cash, or roughly $2.4 billion, and will also grant shareholders a non-tradeable contingent value right (CVR) worth up to an additional $6 per share in cash. If the CVR milestones are met, the total consideration would rise to about $20.50 per share, representing an equity value of approximately $3.5 billion. The $14.50 per-share cash offer r...