Core Insights - The acquisition battle between Pfizer and Novo Nordisk for the next-generation weight loss drug developer Metsera has concluded, with Pfizer emerging victorious, adding a new competitor in the weight loss drug market [1][3][28] Group 1: Acquisition Details - Pfizer initially reached an agreement to acquire Metsera for up to $7.3 billion in September 2023, but Novo Nordisk intervened with a $9 billion offer [3][5] - Following legal actions from Pfizer accusing Novo Nordisk of attempting to bypass antitrust scrutiny, both companies revised their bids, with Pfizer ultimately acquiring Metsera for a maximum of $10.625 billion [4][5] - Metsera's innovative drug pipeline, which includes long-acting and oral GLP-1 receptor agonists, is seen as a critical asset in the competitive weight loss market [11][23] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The competition in the weight loss drug market is intensifying, with major players like Eli Lilly challenging Novo Nordisk's dominance, particularly in the GLP-1 segment [15][18] - Novo Nordisk's sales of its flagship product, semaglutide, reached approximately $25.428 billion in the first three quarters of 2025, but it faces increasing competition from Eli Lilly's tirzepatide, which has seen a 125% year-over-year sales increase [15][18] - The market is shifting from a "duopoly" to a "mixed battle" era, with multiple companies vying for dominance in next-generation weight loss drugs [22][28] Group 3: Strategic Implications - Pfizer's acquisition of Metsera is part of a broader strategy to fill revenue gaps due to upcoming patent expirations on key products, as eight major products will lose patent protection in the next three years [13][14] - Novo Nordisk is under pressure to maintain its market position, as its core product contributes over 80% of its revenue and faces patent expiration in March 2026 [18][20] - The focus on next-generation weight loss drugs, including oral GLP-1 agonists and multi-target therapies, is critical for companies to secure a competitive edge in the evolving market landscape [23][28]