Pfizer secures victory in ten billion dollar takeover of Metsera after surge in weight loss drug demand

In a landmark development underscoring the global race for obesity treatments, US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has secured a ten billion dollar takeover of Metsera. The deal follows an intense bidding war with Danish rival Novo Nordisk and highlights the pivotal role of British scientific research in the obesity drug revolution.

The foundation for this blockbuster acquisition was laid at Imperial College London in the 1980s, where Professor Sir Stephen Bloom and his team pioneered the study of gut hormones, leading to the discovery that GLP1 influences appetite. This breakthrough underpins a new generation of weight loss medications including Wegovy and Zepbound, driving industry competition and investment worldwide.

Metsera’s journey to its record valuation began with the acquisition of Zihipp, a spinout from Imperial working on advanced diabetes and obesity therapies. The company’s leading candidate, MET097i, is a GLP1 drug engineered to mimic appetite suppression. Results from a midstage clinical trial announced in September showed up to 14.1 percent average weight reduction at 28 weeks, with no plateau observed and good tolerability, suggesting continued efficacy with prolonged use. In contrast to existing weekly treatments, MET097i could enable monthly injections, potentially setting a new standard in convenience and adherence.

Imperial College London and technology commercialisation specialist IP Group stand to benefit significantly from this transaction. Under their revenue sharing agreement, both entities will receive royalties and milestone payments based on Metsera’s eventual drug sales. Analysts from Cantor Fitzgerald predict that, on a riskunadjusted basis, IP Group could see revenues rise from 25 million dollars per year by 2030 to approximately 190 million dollars annually by 2040 at a royalty rate of 1.75 percent. These returns represent one of IP Group’s most lucrative exits, though neither Imperial nor IP Group hold equity stakes in Metsera.

Metsera, established by Population Health Partners and Arch Venture Partners, has attracted significant international investment, including backing from the UAE’s sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and Japanese group SoftBank. The company’s Nasdaq initial public offering earlier this year raised 275 million dollars and valued Metsera at 1.8 billion dollars, helping to fund the late stage development of its lead drug.

The acquisition has reignited debate over the UK’s ability to scale and commercialise its scientific innovations. Greg Smith, chief executive of IP Group, acknowledged the challenge, noting that Metsera’s rapid growth and financing might not have been possible had the company remained in the UK, where commercialisation pathways and access to capital are less robust. The government has introduced a life sciences plan as part of its industrial strategy, but the sector calls for deeper reforms and investment to ensure breakthroughs are developed and retained domestically.

The Pfizer deal stands as testament to the value of British scientific excellence and the global appetite for novel therapeutics addressing the obesity crisis. As regulatory and market momentum builds, attention turns to the ongoing late stage trials of Metsera’s pipeline and whether the next generation of injectable therapies can deliver and sustain meaningful health benefits on a global scale.