Roche has signed the biggest-ever obesity drug deal with a $5.3bn licensing agreement for a next-generation treatment from Danish biotech Zealand Pharma.

Roche has acquired rights to an obesity therapy by Denmark's Zealand Pharma in a collaboration deal worth up to $5.3 billion, as the Swiss drugmaker seeks to boost its prospects in the booming weight-loss market.

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche said Wednesday that it had struck a deal worth up to $5.3 billion to develop Zealand Pharma's obesity drug candidate.