Akero Therapeutics shareholders approve acquisition by Novo Nordisk

Shareholders of Akero Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKRO) voted Tuesday to approve the company’s pending acquisition by Novo Nordisk A/S, according to a statement based on a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

The special meeting of stockholders was held virtually, with approximately 81.4% of eligible shares represented in person or by proxy. Out of 67,029,108 shares present, 66,887,600 were voted in favor of the merger, 91,361 against, and 50,147 abstained. There were no broker non-votes. InvestingPro data shows AKRO has delivered a 77.2% return over the past year, significantly outperforming the broader market despite its beta of -0.41, indicating the stock typically moves in the opposite direction of market trends.

The approved agreement, originally signed on October 9, 2025, will see Akero Therapeutics merge with a subsidiary of Novo Nordisk, making Akero a wholly owned subsidiary of the Danish pharmaceutical company. The transaction includes a contingent value rights agreement to be implemented at or immediately prior to the merger’s completion.

Shareholders also approved, on a non-binding advisory basis, compensation that may be paid to Akero’s named executive officers in connection with the merger. The compensation proposal received 65,621,066 votes in favor, 1,316,708 against, and 91,334 abstentions.

No other business was brought before the meeting, and the proposal to adjourn the meeting to solicit additional proxies was not necessary.

The merger remains subject to customary closing conditions. On November 5, 2025, both Akero and Novo Nordisk filed premerger notification forms with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. On Tuesday, the FTC granted early termination of the waiting period, satisfying one of the closing conditions.

The companies stated that the merger is expected to close around year end, pending satisfaction or waiver of remaining conditions, including regulatory approvals in other jurisdictions.

All information is based on a press release statement disclosed in the SEC filing.

In other recent news, Akero Therapeutics shareholders have approved the company’s acquisition by Novo Nordisk, as confirmed by a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing. This acquisition deal is valued at up to $5.2 billion, with Akero shareholders set to receive $54.00 per share in cash, totaling approximately $4.7 billion in equity value. Additionally, shareholders may receive a Contingent Value Right worth $6.00 per share, contingent on the regulatory approval of Akero’s drug candidate, efruxifermin, by June 2031. Akero has also reported positive data from its Phase 2b trials for efruxifermin, showing a reduction in fibrosis and disease progression risk in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). This data was presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases annual meeting. Furthermore, H.C. Wainwright has initiated coverage on Akero Therapeutics with a Buy rating, highlighting efruxifermin’s potential to reverse cirrhosis as a key factor. These developments mark significant progress for Akero Therapeutics in its clinical and business endeavors.

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