The logo of pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk is displayed in front of its offices in Bagsvaerd, Copenhagen, Denmark, February 4, 2026.A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Healthy Returns newsletter, which brings the latest health-care news straight to your inbox. Subscribe here to receive future editions.Novo Nordisk isn't catching a break this year. Shares of the Danish drugmaker plummeted on Monday after it released data showing that its next-generation obesity drug failed to match the we ...

Core Viewpoint - Viking Therapeutics plans to advance its experimental oral obesity drug into late-stage trials later this year, indicating a significant step in its development pipeline [1]. Company Summary - Viking Therapeutics is focusing on the advancement of its oral obesity drug, which is currently in the experimental phase [1]. Industry Context - The move to late-stage trials reflects the growing interest and investment in obesity treatments within the pharmaceutical industry, as companies seek to address the rising prevalence of obesity globally [1].

Core Insights - Pfizer's fourth-quarter results exceeded earnings and sales estimates, but total revenues declined by 3% operationally due to a 40% drop in COVID-19 product revenues [2][10] - The company reaffirmed its 2026 outlook, which anticipates lower revenues and earnings per share due to the decline in COVID product sales and upcoming patent expirations [12][13] Financial Performance - Pfizer reported a 5% year-over-year increase in earnings, despite a significant decline in revenues from COVID-19 products [2] - Total revenues for 2026 are projected to be between $59.5 billion and $62.5 billion, down from $62.6 billion in 2025 [12] - Adjusted earnings per share for 2026 are expected to be in the range of $2.80 to $3.00, a decrease from $3.22 in 2025 [13] Product Portfolio and Pipeline - Pfizer's oncology segment, which accounts for approximately 27% of total revenues, saw an 8% revenue growth in 2025, driven by key drugs [7] - The company is expanding its obesity portfolio with the acquisition of Metsera, which added a new investigational drug, PF'3944, showing promising results in a phase IIb study [3][9] - Revenues from non-COVID products increased by 6% operationally in 2025, with recently launched and acquired products generating $10.2 billion [8] Market Challenges - Sales of COVID products, Comirnaty and Paxlovid, have significantly declined, with projections of around $5 billion in 2026, down from $6.7 billion in 2025 [15][14] - Pfizer anticipates a revenue impact of approximately $1.5 billion due to loss of exclusivity for several key products between 2026 and 2030 [16] - The redesign of Medicare Part D under the Inflation Reduction Act is expected to continue negatively affecting revenues in 2026 [17] Stock Performance and Valuation - Pfizer's stock has underperformed compared to the industry and the S&P 500, with a 5.2% increase over the past year [18] - The stock is currently trading at a price/earnings ratio of 9.20, below the industry average of 18.76 and its five-year mean of 10.24 [21] - Analysts have revised the consensus estimate for 2026 earnings down from $2.99 to $2.98 per share over the past month [24]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The net loss from continuing operations for fiscal year 2025 was $15.7 million, or $1.07 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $35.3 million, or $2.61 per diluted common share in the prior year [30] - Research and development costs increased to $15.6 million in fiscal 2025 from $12.8 million in the prior year, primarily due to expenses related to the phase 2b obesity clinical study for Enobosarm [27] - Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $19.9 million in fiscal 2025 from $24.6 million in the prior year, mainly due to a reduction in share-based compensation expenses [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company sold the FC2 female condom business for $18 million in cash, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $16.5 million after adjustments, which allowed the company to focus exclusively on drug development [24][26] - The gain on the sale of ENTADFI assets was $10.8 million in fiscal 2025, compared to a gain of $1.2 million in the prior year [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a cash balance of $15.8 million as of September 30, 2025, down from $24.9 million as of September 30, 2024, indicating a need for additional capital to support drug development [31] - The company generated cash from investing activities of $25.1 million for fiscal 2025, compared to $0.1 million from investing activities in the prior year, primarily due to proceeds from the sale of the FC2 business and enteropathy assets [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on developing Enobosarm as a muscle-preserving agent in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists to address obesity, particularly targeting older patients with obesity [5][19] - The planned phase 2b plateau clinical trial will evaluate the effect of Enobosarm on total body weight and physical function in patients aged 65 and older with a BMI greater than or equal to 35 [20][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the evolving regulatory landscape for muscle-preservation drugs and the potential for multiple pathways to approval based on clinical outcomes [16][17] - The company aims to address the weight loss plateau observed in patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists by combining these treatments with Enobosarm to enhance weight loss and preserve muscle [19][50] Other Important Information - The company completed a public offering on October 31, 2025, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $23.4 million, which will support ongoing clinical studies [27][23] - The company reported a loss on the sale of the FC2 business of approximately $4.1 million, reflecting the difference between estimated net proceeds and the total carrying value of the business [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Will any GLP-1 be allowed in your phase 2b, or will it be limited to just tirzepatide? - Management indicated that they will choose one GLP-1 receptor agonist to avoid variability in the study, with tirzepatide currently being the placeholder [40] Question: How does the FDA's guidance affect the phase 3 transition? - Management clarified that the phase 2b study is designed to mimic a phase 3 setting, allowing for a clear understanding of the agents' behavior and potential endpoints for the phase 3 study [43] Question: What patient population is being targeted in the plateau study? - Management explained that the focus is on patients over 65 with physical limitations, as this group is most in need and will provide informative data for functional outcomes [46][49]

Core Insights - Wave Life Sciences experienced a nearly 150% price gain, followed by an additional 15% increase, driven by positive analyst recommendations and price target raises [1][2][4] Company Performance - The stock price of Wave Life Sciences rose significantly after the encouraging results from a Phase 1 clinical study of its obesity drug candidate WVE-007 [2][5] - The current stock price is $21.36, with a market capitalization of $3 billion [6] Analyst Recommendations - RBC Capital's analyst Luca Issi upgraded Wave's stock rating from sector perform to outperform, raising the price target from $9 to $27 per share [4][6] - Other analysts also increased their price targets, with Canaccord Genuity raising theirs from $19 to $40 per share, and Wells Fargo increasing theirs by $13 to $29 per share [7] Market Context - The weight-loss drug market is currently experiencing high demand in the U.S., which is contributing to the positive sentiment around WVE-007 [2][5] - The drug's performance is comparable to Novo Nordisk's popular Wegovy, indicating strong potential in the obesity treatment sector [5][8]

Core Insights - The bidding war for Metsera between Pfizer and Novo Nordisk has concluded, with Pfizer acquiring Metsera for $86.25 per share, totaling over $10 billion, significantly higher than the initial offer of $70 per share made in September [1][4][8] Acquisition Details - Pfizer's final offer includes $65.60 per share in cash and a contingent value right (CVR) of up to $20.65 per share, representing a 160% premium over Metsera's closing price prior to Pfizer's first offer [1][4] - The board of directors of Metsera has unanimously recommended that shareholders approve the merger with Pfizer, citing immediate and substantial value [2] - The acquisition is expected to close shortly after the Metsera shareholders' meeting on November 13, following the FTC's early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Act [2] Competitive Landscape - Novo Nordisk initially proposed an unsolicited offer of $77.75 per share, later increasing it to match Pfizer's final offer of $86.25 per share, but has since withdrawn from the bidding process [4][5] - Pfizer filed lawsuits against Metsera and Novo Nordisk, alleging breach of contract and antitrust violations related to the competing offer from Novo Nordisk [5][6] Strategic Implications - The acquisition of Metsera allows Pfizer to re-enter the obesity treatment market, enhancing its pipeline with four clinical-stage obesity programs, including MET-097i, a GLP-1 receptor agonist [8][9] - Pfizer's previous attempt to develop an obesity drug, danuglipron, was halted earlier this year due to safety concerns, making the Metsera acquisition a strategic move to regain a foothold in this lucrative market [10] Financial Impact - Pfizer anticipates that the acquisition will be dilutive to its adjusted EPS by approximately 16 cents in 2026 and remain dilutive through 2030, but it expects no impact on its 2025 guidance [11] - Pfizer's stock has seen a decline of 7.9% this year, contrasting with a 6.4% increase in the industry [14] Valuation Metrics - Pfizer's shares are currently trading at a forward P/E ratio of 7.8, which is lower than the industry average of 15.57 and its own 5-year mean of 10.52, indicating potential attractiveness from a valuation standpoint [15]

Core Viewpoint - Metsera has chosen to accept Pfizer's acquisition offer over Novo Nordisk's bid, marking a significant shift in the competitive landscape for obesity drug development [1][5]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Pfizer will acquire Metsera for up to $86.25 per share, totaling more than $10 billion, with an initial payment of $65.60 per share and potential additional payouts of up to $20.65 per share based on specific milestones [2]. - The deal has received clearance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and is expected to close promptly after a shareholder vote on November 13 [5]. Group 2: Competitive Dynamics - Metsera's board supports Pfizer's proposal, citing its value and certainty of closing, while rejecting Novo Nordisk's two-step bid due to high legal and regulatory risks [3][5]. - Novo Nordisk has decided not to pursue another bid, emphasizing its commitment to financial discipline and shareholder value, while continuing to seek other business development opportunities [4]. Group 3: Background Context - Pfizer initially bid $4.9 billion for Metsera, aiming to strengthen its position in the competitive obesity drug market, an area where its own research has faced challenges [6]. - Novo Nordisk's rival bid was structured to provide a large upfront cash payment for half of Metsera's shares, designed to mitigate risks associated with regulatory delays, but was ultimately deemed inferior by Metsera [7].

Core Viewpoint - Viking Therapeutics' shares surged by 44.9% in October, driven by positive developments surrounding its lead drug candidate VK2735 for obesity and type 2 diabetes [1] Group 1: Stock Movement and Market Activity - The initial rise in stock price was linked to takeover activity in the biotech sector, particularly Pfizer's attempt to acquire Metsera, which prompted speculation about potential acquisitions, including Viking Therapeutics [2][3] - The second leg of the stock increase was fueled by the initiation of a phase 1 trial for VK2735 (oral) as a maintenance dose, which reassured investors about the drug's value despite previous safety concerns [4][5] - The third leg was supported by the company's Q3 earnings report, confirming resources for phase 3 trials of VK2735 (subcutaneous) and ahead-of-schedule enrollment [6] Group 2: Future Prospects - Enrollment for the VK2735 (subcutaneous) phase 3 trials is projected to conclude by late 2025 to early 2026, with results expected by mid-2027, while phase 1 trial results for VK2735 (oral) are anticipated in mid-2026 [8]

Core Viewpoint - Pfizer is suing Metsera and Novo Nordisk over a dispute regarding the rights to an emerging obesity drug developer, escalating tensions between the pharmaceutical companies [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings - Pfizer has initiated legal action against Metsera and Novo in Delaware Court of Chancery, alleging that Novo's bid violates the terms of a buyout deal agreed upon in September [2][3]. - The lawsuit claims that Novo and Metsera's board breached the original deal and fiduciary duties, and seeks to temporarily block Metsera from terminating its contract with Pfizer during the legal proceedings [3][4]. Group 2: Acquisition Details - Pfizer made a $4.9 billion upfront bid for Metsera on September 22, aiming to secure a leading position in the obesity drug market, which Metsera accepted after discussions with multiple bidders [5]. - Novo submitted a competing offer that included a large upfront cash payment for half of Metsera's shares, designed to mitigate regulatory risks, which Metsera initially rejected [6]. - Novo's revised proposal, worth $6.5 billion upfront and potentially up to $9 billion overall, includes provisions for immediate cash payments to Metsera shareholders, qualifying it as a "superior company proposal" under the original deal terms [6].

Core Viewpoint - Viking Therapeutics' stock price experienced a significant increase of over 10% following the release of its third-quarter earnings report and updates on clinical trial progress [1][2]. Group 1: Clinical Trials and Drug Development - The lead drug candidate, VK2735, is being tested in both subcutaneous and oral forms, with a phase 3 study currently underway for the subcutaneous version [3]. - Enrollment in the phase 3 "Vanquish" trial is reportedly ahead of schedule, as noted by CEO Brian Lian during the earnings call [3]. - The oral formulation of VK2735 faced challenges due to disappointing safety and tolerability data from a phase 2 trial earlier this year, although efficacy results were satisfactory [4]. - A phase 1 trial has been announced to explore weekly subcutaneous dosing followed by maintenance dosing with either the oral or subcutaneous form [4]. - Viking plans to meet with regulatory authorities in the fourth quarter to discuss next steps for the oral VK2735 [5]. Group 2: Market Reaction and Investor Sentiment - The positive developments in Viking's pipeline contributed to the stock price increase, indicating strong investor interest [5]. - Despite the recent stock performance, Viking Therapeutics was not included in a list of top stock recommendations by The Motley Fool Stock Advisor, which identified 10 better investment options [6].