Overview
- Pfizer said the FTC granted early termination of the Hart‑Scott‑Rodino waiting period, clearing its $7.3 billion Metsera deal for U.S. antitrust purposes ahead of a Nov. 7 deadline.
- Metsera has told Pfizer that Novo Nordisk’s proposal constitutes a superior company proposal, starting a four‑business‑day window that runs through Tuesday for Pfizer to counter.
- Novo’s unsolicited bid offers $56.50 per share in cash plus contingent value rights of up to $21.25 per share, for about $6.5 billion upfront and up to roughly $9 billion with milestones.
- Pfizer previously agreed to acquire Metsera for $47.50 per share and has called Novo’s move reckless and illegal, saying it is prepared to pursue legal avenues to enforce its agreement.
- Novo outlined a two‑step structure paying cash at signing for non‑voting preferred shares with CVRs issued at closing, while the companies vie for Metsera’s once‑monthly GLP‑1 candidate MET‑097i, which showed promising Phase 2 weight‑loss results.