Pfizer to buy obesity drug maker Metsera
New York: Pfizer Inc. and Metsera, Inc. have announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Pfizer will acquire Metsera, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company accelerating the next generation of medicines for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases.
The acquisition brings deep expertise and a portfolio of differentiated oral and injectable incretin, non-incretin and combination therapy candidates with potential best-in-class efficacy and safety profiles. The Boards of Directors of both Metsera and Pfizer have unanimously approved the transaction.
“Obesity is a large and growing space with over 200 health conditions associated with it. The proposed acquisition of Metsera aligns with our focus on directing our investments to the most impactful opportunities and propels Pfizer into this key therapeutic area,” said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer. “We are excited to apply our deep cardiometabolic experience and manufacturing and commercial infrastructure to accelerate a portfolio that includes potential best-in-class injectables, with clinical data differentiated by efficacy, tolerability and durability supporting monthly dosing, with the aim to address the ongoing unmet needs associated with obesity and related diseases.”
Metsera has a portfolio of promising therapeutic candidates and combinations with four programs in clinical development and several next-generation programs with IND-enabling studies ongoing, aimed at addressing key unmet needs via fewer injections while achieving improved efficacy and tolerability. This includes MET-097i, a weekly and monthly injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist (RA), both in Phase 2 development; MET-233i, a monthly amylin analog candidate being evaluated as monotherapy and in combination with MET-097i in Phase 1 development; two oral GLP-1 RA candidates expected to begin clinical trials imminently; and additional preclinical nutrient-stimulated hormone therapeutics. Initial Phase 1 clinical results for MET-233i showcasing a potential best-in-class profile were presented on September 17 as a late-breaker at the 61st Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD).
Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer will acquire all outstanding shares of Metsera common stock for $47.50 per share in cash at closing, representing an enterprise value of approximately $4.9 billion. Additionally, the agreement includes a non-transferable contingent value right (CVR) entitling holders to potential additional payments of up to $22.50 per share in cash tied to three specific clinical and regulatory milestones: $5 per share following the Phase 3 clinical trial start of Metsera’s MET-097i+MET-233i combination, $7 per share following U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Metsera’s monthly MET-097i monotherapy, and $10.50 per share following FDA approval of Metsera’s monthly MET-097i+MET-233i combination, if achieved. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval by Metsera’s shareholders. Pfizer will provide any updates to its financial outlook in conjunction with its upcoming quarterly earnings.
“Since our founding in 2022, Metsera has worked tirelessly to reduce the physical, emotional, and economic burdens of obesity with a portfolio of next generation nutrient-stimulated hormone therapeutic candidates. Our team has invented and developed multiple injectable and oral candidate medicines and a category-leading peptide engineering platform, which together promise class-leading performance in a major sector of population health,” said Whit Bernard, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Metsera. “The announcement sets a path for our portfolio to potentially transform the lives of hundreds of millions of people and represents an excellent outcome for our shareholders. We look forward to joining forces with Pfizer to leverage their global clinical, regulatory, manufacturing and commercial capabilities to realize the promise of improved human health at scale.”
Citi is acting as Pfizer’s financial advisor for the transaction with Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz acting as legal advisor. Metsera’s financial advisors for the transaction are Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Guggenheim Securities, LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., and Allen & Company LLC with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acting as legal advisor.
