Novo’s takeover push marks a sudden escalation in the weight-loss drug wars. The Danish company – maker of Wegovy and Ozempic – broke ranks on Oct. 30 by notifying Metsera’s board of its superior bidreuters.com. This move comes just days after the foundation coup at Novoreuters.com, signaling a full-aggression strategy. Metsera confirmed the offer is “superior” to Pfizer’s, giving Pfizer four business days to respondts2.tech. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has publicly talked up this obesity play, so Pfizer is not likely to concede easily. Unsurprisingly, Pfizer immediately denounced Novo’s counterbid as “reckless” and vowed to defend the original agreementreuters.com. Observers note Novo carefully included the contingent CVRs and claims it adhered to the “no raid” clause in its agreement with Pfizerreuters.com, so the fight may end up in arbitration if no private settlement is reached.
