Pfizer Acquires Metsera to Compete with Zepbound in Obesity Market

Pfizer announced the acquisition of Metsera, a drug developer with a pipeline focused on obesity treatments, in a deal worth up to $7.3 billion depending on clinical milestones13.

Metsera's lead candidates include MET-097i (a GLP-1 injectable) and MET-233i (an amylin mimetic), the latter now in early-stage trials as a monthly monotherapy and also in combination with MET-097i1.

Preliminary data for MET-233i suggest a 'potential best-in-class profile,' with a monthly dosing schedule that could offer improved patient convenience and compliance compared to daily or weekly injectables13.

Analysts project combined peak sales for Metsera’s obesity pipeline could exceed $5 billion, with the monthly dosing seen as a significant differentiator in a market dominated by Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy1.

Pfizer previously discontinued its in-house GLP-1 obesity program due to safety concerns and competitive challenges, leaving it in need of promising candidates to match rivals like Zepbound4.

With the Metsera acquisition, Pfizer positions itself to re-enter the competitive obesity drug market, leveraging Metsera’s injectables which may offer efficacy, tolerability, durability, and differentiated monthly dosing13.

The acquisition is expected to be a key growth driver for Pfizer in the late 2020s and beyond, supporting the company's strategic focus on cardiometabolic diseases including obesity5.

Sources:

1. https://hlth.com/insights/news/pfizer-acquires-metsera-for-up-to-7-3-billion-to-enter-obesity-market-2025-09-23

3. https://www.bioxconomy.com/partnering/pfizer-buys-back-into-obesity-drug-chase-with-4-9bn-metsera-deal

4. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/pfizers-embattled-obesity-program-loses-another-glp-1-drug

5. https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/pfizer-metsera-acquire-obesity-drugs-glp1-amylin/760719/