What's Pfizer Getting in Its $7.3 Billion Metsera Buyout?

Core Viewpoint - Pfizer is making a significant investment of $4.9 billion to acquire Metsera, aiming to enter the lucrative obesity treatment market, with potential total costs rising to $7.3 billion depending on the success of Metsera's drug candidates [1][4][10]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Pfizer will pay $47.50 per share for Metsera, which is a 43% premium over the previous trading day's closing price [2]. - Metsera shareholders will also receive contingent value rights (CVR) that could add up to $22.50 per share based on the success of the acquired anti-obesity candidates [2][6]. Group 2: Drug Development - Metsera is developing a GLP-1 receptor agonist, MET-097i, which requires only one injection per month, contrasting with existing treatments that require weekly injections [4][11]. - Another candidate, MET-233i, is a once-monthly amylin analog that showed an 8.4% weight reduction in patients after five weeks in a phase 1 trial [5]. Group 3: Market Potential - The global market for GLP-1 drugs is projected to reach $95 billion in sales by 2030, indicating a substantial opportunity for Pfizer [7]. - Pfizer's acquisition of Metsera is part of a strategy to bolster its pipeline amid impending patent expirations that could result in a revenue loss of $17 billion to $18 billion over the next three and a half years [13]. Group 4: Financial Implications - Pfizer's investment in Metsera is seen as a strategic move to offset potential revenue declines from patent losses, with acquired products expected to generate $20 billion in annual sales by 2030 [14]. - Pfizer currently offers a 7% dividend yield, making it an attractive option for investors despite the risks associated with acquisitions [15].