Metabolic disorders
After a bidding war erupted between Pfizer and Novo Nordisk over the fledgling obesity drug maker, Metsera decided to side with its original suitor.
During a press conference to announce a drug price deal for GLP-1s, President Donald Trump asked for more details about the ongoing bidding war between Novo Nordisk and Pfizer over obesity biotech Metsera.
The nausea and other gastrointestinal side effects of weight loss drugs like Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy or Eli Lilly’s Zepbound will limit how much these drugs can help patients and stunt the overall obesity market unless we approach the problem head on.
The agreement will also secure a $150 price for future weight loss pills from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly—at least initially.
The highest dose of Eli Lilly’s eloralintide led to 20.1% weight loss after 48 weeks in a Phase II trial, exceeding analyst expectations and highlighting a “potentially best in class profile,” according to BMO Capital Markets.
In an investor call Thursday, AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot outlined his company’s approach to obesity drug development based on “the medical aspect” of weight loss, including driving down visceral fat.
The court’s decision allows Metsera to walk away from its previous acquisition agreement with Pfizer in favor of Novo Nordisk’s higher bid.
Pressure from the FTC and Pfizer is building around Novo Nordisk’s bid to snatch obesity biotech Metsera. The antitrust watchdog has spotted issues with the structure of Novo’s bid, while its New York-based rival has put more money on the table.
Pfizer and Novo Nordisk seem to want Metsera bad. Analysts are wondering, though: is the obesity biotech really worth this much effort?
Investors got to hear Novo Nordisk’s side of the Metsera bidding war drama for the first time on Wednesday, as the company reported third-quarter earnings. A rough quarter underscored the stakes for the Danish pharma.
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