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Pfizer Gains Early FTC Clearance for Metsera Acquisition
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Key Takeaways
Pfizer gained early FTC approval for its planned acquisition of biotech firm Metsera.
The early clearance removes antitrust hurdles and allows Pfizer to advance the deal quickly.
Metsera adds peptide-based therapies for obesity and diabetes to Pfizer's metabolic pipeline.
Pfizer Inc. (PFE - Free Report) announced on Friday, Oct. 31, that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) had granted early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) waiting period for its planned acquisition of Metsera, a clinical-stage biotech company focused on metabolic and endocrine disorders. The early clearance represents a key regulatory milestone and allows Pfizer to move forward more swiftly with the transaction.
The FTC’s decision to end the review early indicates that regulators found no significant antitrust concerns. This removes one of the main hurdles to closing the deal and signals a smoother path ahead as Pfizer continues its strategy of expanding through targeted biotech acquisitions. The company, which is part of the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry, has been actively strengthening its innovative medicines pipeline amid declining sales from its COVID-19 portfolio and expiring drug patents. While Pfizer has been having a grim 2025 and October in particular, its stock gained 1.5% in the session to close out the month.
Metsera brings to Pfizer a portfolio of promising peptide-based therapies for obesity, diabetes and rare metabolic disorders. Its lead candidate, now in mid-stage clinical trials, has shown encouraging results in weight management and metabolic regulation. Analysts view the acquisition as part of Pfizer’s broader effort to regain momentum in the metabolic and endocrine space, which the company has identified as a renewed growth pillar.
Pfizer stated that Metsera’s scientific expertise complements its own research capabilities and will accelerate the development of next-generation metabolic treatments. While financial terms were not disclosed, the transaction is expected to close in the coming months, pending customary conditions.
The early FTC clearance boosts investor confidence in the acquisition’s completion and underscores Pfizer’s focus on science-driven expansion rather than short-term restructuring. As the integration process begins, the move positions Pfizer to rebuild its leadership in metabolic innovation and diversify its long-term growth prospects beyond its existing therapeutic areas.
As of Oct. 31, the Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company’s shares have lost 7.1% year to date compared with its Zacks Peer Group, which has gained 6.2%. Novartis AG (NVS - Free Report) and AbbVie Inc. (ABBV - Free Report) , two much bigger players from the Large Cap Pharma segment that PFE is part of, have added 27.2% and 22.7%, respectively, in the same period. Both NVS and ABBV carry a #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Pfizer Gains Early FTC Clearance for Metsera Acquisition
Key Takeaways
Pfizer Inc. (PFE - Free Report) announced on Friday, Oct. 31, that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) had granted early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) waiting period for its planned acquisition of Metsera, a clinical-stage biotech company focused on metabolic and endocrine disorders. The early clearance represents a key regulatory milestone and allows Pfizer to move forward more swiftly with the transaction.
The FTC’s decision to end the review early indicates that regulators found no significant antitrust concerns. This removes one of the main hurdles to closing the deal and signals a smoother path ahead as Pfizer continues its strategy of expanding through targeted biotech acquisitions. The company, which is part of the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry, has been actively strengthening its innovative medicines pipeline amid declining sales from its COVID-19 portfolio and expiring drug patents. While Pfizer has been having a grim 2025 and October in particular, its stock gained 1.5% in the session to close out the month.
Metsera brings to Pfizer a portfolio of promising peptide-based therapies for obesity, diabetes and rare metabolic disorders. Its lead candidate, now in mid-stage clinical trials, has shown encouraging results in weight management and metabolic regulation. Analysts view the acquisition as part of Pfizer’s broader effort to regain momentum in the metabolic and endocrine space, which the company has identified as a renewed growth pillar.
Pfizer stated that Metsera’s scientific expertise complements its own research capabilities and will accelerate the development of next-generation metabolic treatments. While financial terms were not disclosed, the transaction is expected to close in the coming months, pending customary conditions.
The early FTC clearance boosts investor confidence in the acquisition’s completion and underscores Pfizer’s focus on science-driven expansion rather than short-term restructuring. As the integration process begins, the move positions Pfizer to rebuild its leadership in metabolic innovation and diversify its long-term growth prospects beyond its existing therapeutic areas.
As of Oct. 31, the Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company’s shares have lost 7.1% year to date compared with its Zacks Peer Group, which has gained 6.2%. Novartis AG (NVS - Free Report) and AbbVie Inc. (ABBV - Free Report) , two much bigger players from the Large Cap Pharma segment that PFE is part of, have added 27.2% and 22.7%, respectively, in the same period. Both NVS and ABBV carry a #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.