(Reuters) -Pfizer has acquired early U.S. antitrust clearance greater than per week early for its proposed $7.3 billion Metsera acquisition, which has been known as into query by Novo Nordisk’s increased $8.5 billion supply.
Metsera has declared Novo’s supply superior, and given Pfizer till Tuesday to lift its bid.
The U.S. Federal Commerce Fee granted early termination of the ready interval required below the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, which governs antitrust opinions. The ready interval was initially set to run out on November 7, Pfizer mentioned on Friday.
The clearance means Pfizer might transfer forward with its proposed buy of Metsera with out additional antitrust evaluate from U.S. regulators. Metsera shareholders are presently resulting from vote on the deal on November 13.
Pfizer mentioned Danish drugmaker Novo was an organization with a dominant market place making an attempt to suppress competitors in violation of legislation by taking on an rising American challenger within the fast-growing weight problems drug market. Pfizer known as the bid “reckless” and mentioned it was structured to bypass regulatory scrutiny.
Novo Nordisk, the maker of Wegovy and Ozempic, provided as much as $8.5 billion for Metsera, together with $6 billion upfront.
Pfizer’s deal for Metsera is a part of its push to enter the $150 billion weight problems drug market, because it seems to offset falling COVID-19-related revenues and looming patent expirations. The corporate has confronted setbacks in creating its personal weight-loss remedies and doesn’t promote one.
(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury, Christy Santhosh and Siddhi Mahatole in Bengaluru; Enhancing by Shilpi Majumdar)
