The companies agreed to share profits for the therapy equally in the U.S. and Europe, but Roche will have exclusive rights to commercialization in the rest of the world.

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.

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.