Connecticut-based Pfizer Inc. said Thursday that it has completed the successful acquisition of Metsera, Inc., which is “a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company accelerating the next generation of medicines for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases.”
“This strategic milestone represents more than a transaction—it’s a deliberate investment in the future of medicine. By acquiring Metsera, we are directing our resources toward one of the most impactful and high-growth therapeutic areas and positioning ourselves to define it,” Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, in a statement.
“We look forward to combining Metsera’s innovative portfolio with our global development, manufacturing and commercial infrastructure. Working with our talented new colleagues from Metsera, we will advance our shared goal of accelerating and bringing these important candidate therapies to patients around the world.”
Bloomberg reported that Bourla “had long searched for an obesity drug to make up for dwindling sales of the pharma company’s aging blockbusters… [and} after a dramatic bidding war, he learned he’d finally claimed his prize.”
Bloomberg also reported that the fight for “Metsera reverberated all the way to the White House, where last week, standing alongside President Donald Trump, Novo CEO Mike Doustdar challenged Pfizer to top its bid. ‘Our message to Pfizer is that if they would like to buy the company, then put your hand in the pocket and bid higher,’ Doustdar said on Thursday.”
Pfizer did so, submitting a sweetened bid Friday that was first reported by Bloomberg News, and matched a revised offer from Novo, Bloomberg reported. “Further Pfizer was prepared for the bidding to go through the weekend, according to people familiar with Pfizer’s thinking, but at 9:32 p.m. Metsera issued a news release saying that the US drug giant had prevailed.”
Pfizer said it has added a “portfolio of promising therapeutic candidates that are complementary to Pfizer’s Internal Medicine pipeline, including MET-097i, a weekly and monthly injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist (RA) about to begin Phase 3 development; MET-233i, a monthly amylin analog candidate being evaluated as monotherapy and in combination with MET-097i in Phase 1 development; an oral GLP-1 RA candidate in Phase 1 development; and additional preclinical nutrient-stimulated hormone therapeutics.”
Pfizer also has noted it has completed its “acquisition of all outstanding shares of common stock of Metsera for $65.60 per share in cash, representing an enterprise value of approximately $7.0 billion, plus a contingent value right (CVR) of up to $20.65 per share in potential additional payments tied to the achievement of three specified clinical and regulatory milestones.”
Metsera is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer, according to the company.
In connection with the acquisition, Metsera’s shares of common stock will cease trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market following the close of market today.
Pfizer said, “as previously disclosed, the transaction is expected to be dilutive through 2030, primarily to enable further investment in several promising late-stage pipeline candidates. Updated impact to Pfizer’s financial outlook will be provided in conjunction with its 2026 guidance expected later this year.”
Citi was Pfizer’s financial advisor for the transaction and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz was legal advisor, according to the Pfizer statement