pfizer to Acquire Metsera for Up to $7.3 Billion, Fueling Entry into Booming Obesity Drug market
NEW YORK - Pfizer announced last week an agreement to acquire Metsera, a pharmaceutical developer demonstrating promising results with its obesity medication Met-097i, in a deal potentially valued at up to $7.3 billion, including future payments.The acquisition positions Pfizer to capitalize on the rapidly expanding market for weight loss drugs, projected to reach $150 billion globally by the early 2030s.
Metsera’s lead candidate, Met-097i, mimics the effects of naturally occurring hormones to regulate appetite and glucose metabolism, similar to drugs like Wegovy from Novo Nordisk and Mounjaro (now Zepbound) from Eli Lilly. Early study data indicates Met-097i could achieve or surpass the performance of a 15 mg dose of Tirepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound, according to Metsera.
Recent trials involving 268 patients showed minimal diarrhea at the highest dose of Met-097i after 12 weeks, with nausea and vomiting rates slightly above placebo levels.The drug has demonstrated good tolerability in overweight and obese patients without type 2 diabetes. Metsera plans to initiate late-stage studies this year, with a focus on developing the medication for combination therapies and oral formulations.
“the profile of Met-097i looks something like that of Zepbound,” noted Chris Scott, an analyst at JP Morgan. Scott also suggested that even a modest market share for Met-097i could translate into a multi-billion dollar chance for Pfizer, despite the anticipated dominance of Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk in the obesity drug market.
Shares of Metsera rose almost 1% following the proclamation. The acquisition allows Pfizer to quickly enter a competitive landscape currently led by Zepbound and wegovy,both gaining significant traction in the treatment of obesity and related metabolic conditions.
