The news of Pfizer to acquire Metsera in a $10bn deal has indeed caught the eye of many. Metsera happens to be a US-based biotechnology firm and the deal was indeed a result of a heated bidding battle against Novo Nordisk, the Danish drugmaker, which has now gone on to withdraw from the race, reported AFP. Metsera, which happens to specialize in obesity treatments, went on to state that the improved offer of $86.25 per share from Pfizer had been unanimously approved by its board, which went on to recommend that the support of the shareholders of the merger will be pretty evident at a meeting that happens to be scheduled for November 13.
According to the company, with Pfizer to acquire Metsera in a $10bn deal, the board unanimously recommends that the stockholders approve adoption of the amended Pfizer merger agreement and also approve the merger, also adding that the deal was anticipated to close promptly post the vote that has taken place. The latest proposal from Pfizer almost doubles the valuation of Metsera as compared to the initial agreement that took place in September 2025, which went on to trigger a counterbid coming from Novo Nordisk and also set off a fierce price war between both the pharmaceutical giants. Novo Nordisk, which happens to be the maker of Wegovy, which is the blockbuster weight-loss drug, and also the diabetes treatment Ozempic, went ahead and announced that it is not going to raise its offer any further. The company said that it does not intend to make more offers to acquire Metsera, also adding that it will continue to pursue certain strategic acquisitions that happen to be in sync with its long-term growth objectives.
Metsera also revealed that the US Federal Trade Commission – FTC had gone ahead and contacted the company with regards to the potential risks that happen to be associated with the proposed Novo Nordisk transaction as per the US antitrust laws, which is a factor that went on to strengthen the decision by the boards so as to support the offer made by Pfizer instead. The board of the company concluded that the Novo Nordisk deal happens to present unacceptably high legal as well as regulatory risks as compared to the proposed merger with Pfizer. Novo Nordisk, on the other hand, went on to maintain that its proposal was indeed compliant, taking into account the antitrust laws. The battle for Metsera goes on to reflect the growing competition when it comes to the global obesity treatment market, which, by the way, happens to be an area wherein the pharmaceutical majors are indeed racing in order to capture share amid the rising global demand when it comes to weight loss and also diabetes drugs. As per the World Health Organization, over a billion people across the world were living with the distress caused by obesity, and over 800 million with diabetes as of the figures from 2022.
