Pfizer announced plans to acquire weight loss drugmaker Metsera for up to $7.3 billion, with an initial cash payment of $47.50 per share, representing a 43% premium. The deal includes a contingent value right of up to $22.50 per share based on clinical and regulatory achievements, potentially bringing the total value to $70 per share. Metsera’s stock rose over 60% in premarket trading, while Pfizer’s stock increased by more than 1%.

This acquisition comes after Pfizer faced setbacks in the obesity space, scrapping its lead obesity drug candidate and another once-daily pill due to safety concerns. Pfizer now aims to accelerate its push into the weight loss drug market, which analysts predict could be worth $100 billion by the 2030s. Metsera, founded in 2022, brings a pipeline of oral and injectable treatments, including a GLP-1 drug that helped patients lose weight in early trials.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla expressed excitement about the acquisition, stating that it aligns with the company’s focus and will propel them into the key therapeutic area. Analysts estimate that Metsera’s obesity candidates could generate over $5 billion in peak annual sales, with the potential to accelerate Pfizer’s entry into the market. Metsera went public in 2025 and is among several companies developing next-generation obesity treatments.

Read more at CNBC: Pfizer to buy weight-loss drug developer Metsera