Pfizer Is Buying Weight Loss Biotech Metsera. Here's Why Viking Therapeutics Shareholders May Be Cheering.
The Motley Fool·2025-09-25 08:12

Core Insights - The weight loss drug market has seen significant growth, with major players like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk generating billions in revenue, leading to high demand and supply shortages [1][2] - Pfizer has shifted its focus from potentially acquiring Viking Therapeutics to acquiring Metsera, a biotech company with weight loss candidates [4][11] - Viking Therapeutics has promising weight loss candidates, particularly VK2735, which has shown substantial weight loss results in clinical trials [7][8] Industry Overview - The weight loss drug market is projected to reach nearly $100 billion by the end of the decade, indicating strong future demand [2] - The competition in the weight loss sector is intensifying as more companies seek to enter the market [2] Company Developments - Pfizer's acquisition of Metsera, valued at up to $7.3 billion, includes a significant premium on the share price, indicating a strategic investment in the weight loss sector [13] - Viking Therapeutics' stock has remained stable despite Pfizer's acquisition announcement, suggesting that investors may view Viking as undervalued [5][14] - Viking's VK2735 has shown promising results, with weight loss of up to 13.1% in clinical trials, positioning the company favorably in the competitive landscape [8][10]