Pfizer wins $10 billion bidding war for obesity drug developer

Core Insights - Pfizer has secured a $10 billion acquisition of Metsera, a developer of obesity drugs, after a competitive bidding war with Novo Nordisk, which has now exited the race due to antitrust concerns [1][2][9] - This acquisition provides Pfizer with an entry into the lucrative obesity drug market, despite Metsera's treatments being years away from market readiness [2][15] - The bidding war has significantly increased Metsera's share price, which surged nearly 60% in the week leading up to the acquisition announcement, raising its market value to $8.75 billion [8][18] Pfizer's Acquisition Strategy - Pfizer's final offer includes $86.25 per share, which is a 3.69% premium over Metsera's previous closing price, consisting of $65.60 in cash and a contingent value right for additional payments [5][12] - The acquisition is seen as a strategic move for Pfizer to recover from past failures in developing weight-loss drugs and to strengthen its position in the obesity treatment market [4][15] Novo Nordisk's Position - Novo Nordisk has decided not to increase its bid for Metsera, citing that its previous offer represented the maximum value for the company, and it remains confident in its own obesity drug pipeline [6][7] - The company is focusing on advancing its existing treatments for obesity and will continue to explore other business development opportunities [6][12] Market Implications - The competitive bidding for Metsera reflects the growing importance of the obesity drug market, which analysts estimate could reach $150 billion by the early next decade [17] - Pfizer's acquisition is based on optimistic revenue projections, with analysts suggesting that Pfizer may need to achieve $11 billion in revenue by 2040, nearly double Metsera's current forecasts [13][18]