Pfizer Secures Early US Antitrust Approval for $7.3B Metsera Acquisition Amid Novo Nordisk Challenge

Pfizer has received early U.S. antitrust clearance to proceed with its $7.3 billion acquisition of Metsera, ahead of the original deadline, allowing it to move forward without further regulatory delay. However, Pfizer faces a competing $8.5 billion bid from Novo Nordisk, which Metsera has declared superior, prompting Pfizer to criticize Novo's offer as an anticompetitive move to suppress competition in the obesity drug market. Pfizer is taking legal action, suing Metsera and Novo Nordisk, alleging violations of antitrust laws. This acquisition is part of Pfizer's strategy to enter the rapidly growing $150 billion obesity drug market amid declining revenues and patent expirations. Additionally, Pfizer is involved in a federal antitrust lawsuit alongside 35 other drugmakers over alleged price-fixing on generic drugs from 2009 to 2016. Despite challenges, Pfizer maintains strong profitability margins but has experienced a decline in revenue growth, trading near historical valuation lows.