Billion-dollar acquisitions in the pharmaceutical industry

The American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced on Monday the acquisition of the biotechnology company Metsera for at least 4.9 billion dollars, according to a joint statement cited by AFP. Through this move, Pfizer will have access to the portfolio of innovative treatments against obesity developed by Metsera.

• A booming market

Pfizer's decision comes in the context in which drugs for obesity and diabetes are at the center of global attention. These treatments, currently dominated by the companies Novo Nordisk (Ozempic, Wegovy) and Eli Lilly (Zepbound), generate billions in revenue and change paradigms in the fight against one of the greatest public health challenges.

"Obesity is a vast and growing field, with more than 200 associated health problems. The acquisition of Metsera propels Pfizer into a key therapeutic area," said Albert Bourla, the company's CEO.

• Details of the deal

Under the agreement, Pfizer will pay $47.50 per share for Metsera, valuing the company at $4.9 billion. The deal is expected to close in the last quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.

• Industry's appetite for innovation

The enormous market value has sparked a real competition between pharmaceutical giants. Just last week, Swiss company Roche acquired 89bio, a California-based company specializing in liver and cardiometabolic diseases, for almost $3.5 billion. In addition, Roche entered into a partnership with Zealand Pharma in March to develop a treatment that acts on the satiety hormone.

• Pfizer after the success of the anti-Covid vaccine

For Pfizer, this acquisition marks a change in strategy. After record sales achieved with the anti-Covid-19 mRNA vaccine, the company is now looking for new growth engines. The obesity drug market is seen as one of the most promising opportunities, given the prevalence of the disease and the pressure on healthcare systems.

Experts estimate that the global market for anti-obesity treatments could exceed $100 billion annually in the next decade. By acquiring Metsera, Pfizer secures a place in this race and diversifies its portfolio in an area with major medical and economic impact.