Published: November 10, 2025
Summary: On Monday, Pfizer said it will acquire obesity‑drug developer Metsera in a deal worth up to $10 billion, while Novo Nordisk shares climbed after bowing out of the bidding war. Governance drama around Novo’s board intensified as Norway’s $1.5 trillion sovereign wealth fund said it would abstain from key votes this week. Separately, Novo struck a distribution pact in India to sell a new branded version of its semaglutide weight‑loss shot. [1]
Key takeaways
- Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) will buy Metsera for up to $10B, including $65.60 in cash plus up to $20.65 per share in contingent payments, positioning Pfizer back in the weight‑loss drug race. A Metsera shareholder vote is set for Thursday, Nov. 13. [2]
- Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) shares rose in early trade after it dropped its bid for Metsera, ending the takeover battle. [3]
- Governance watch: Norway’s sovereign wealth fund NBIM will abstain from voting on Novo’s new chair and directors at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Friday, Nov. 14. [4]
- India expansion: Novo and Emcure will sell a 2.4 mg semaglutide injection under a new brand “Poviztra” in India; price undisclosed. [5]
How NVO and PFE are trading today
- Novo Nordisk: Shares traded ~3% higher in Copenhagen shortly after the open (08:01 GMT) following news it exited the Metsera contest. The move reflects investor relief over deal discipline amid a turbulent year for the stock. [6]
- Pfizer: In U.S. premarket action, Pfizer edged higher (~0.6%) as investors digested the Metsera terms and a broad market lift tied to progress on ending the U.S. government shutdown. (Premarket quotes are indicative.) [7]
Pfizer seals Metsera deal: what’s in it and why it matters
Pfizer’s agreement to acquire Metsera is structured at up to $86.25 per share—$65.60 in cash plus a contingent value right (CVR) up to $20.65—and aims squarely at the booming obesity‑treatment market. The bidding war escalated over the past two weeks, with Pfizer ultimately besting Novo’s offer after concerns surfaced about U.S. antitrust risks tied to Novo’s proposal. A shareholder vote at Metsera is scheduled Thursday, Nov. 13, and both sides expect a prompt close if approved. [8]
Strategically, Pfizer gains late‑stage and mid‑stage assets in GLP‑1 and amylin pathways—areas expected to drive the next wave of metabolic medicines—even though commercial launch timelines are years away. That lag tempers near‑term revenue impact but gives Pfizer a credible re‑entry into weight‑loss drugs after prior setbacks. [9]
Novo Nordisk: stock pops on deal discipline, but governance clouds linger
Novo’s shares rose in early trading after the company said over the weekend it would drop its Metsera bid, a decision markets read as a return to capital discipline following an aggressive—and controversial—pursuit. [10]
The governance spotlight intensified Monday when Norway’s NBIM—Novo’s third‑largest shareholder—said it will abstain from voting on electing a new chair and board nominees at this week’s EGM. The move reflects investor unease with the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s 77% voting control and plans to install former CEO Lars Rebien Sorensen as company chair. NBIM’s stance lands as Novo’s shares remain sharply lower year to date and after multiple forecast trims in 2025. The EGM webcast is slated for Friday, Nov. 14 at 14:00 CET. [11]
India expansion: Novo to sell semaglutide under new brand “Poviztra”
In a separate development, Novo Nordisk and Emcure Pharmaceuticals announced a deal to distribute and market a 2.4 mg semaglutide injection in India under the Poviztra brand, a parallel label to Novo’s global Wegovy franchise. Wegovy launched in India in June at ₹26,015 per month; Poviztra’s price wasn’t disclosed. The move mirrors competitor strategies to broaden access and tackle supply constraints in the world’s most populous market. [12]
Market backdrop you should know
Risk appetite improved broadly on Monday as U.S. stock futures advanced on signs of progress in Washington toward ending the long government shutdown—a tailwind for cyclicals and select healthcare names. Meanwhile, Metsera shares slumped in early trade after Pfizer’s win, reflecting deal arbitrage and CVR risk. [13]
What to watch next
- Metsera shareholder vote (Nov. 13): If approved, Pfizer expects to close the transaction promptly thereafter—watch for updates on integration timelines and any regulatory conditions. [14]
- Novo EGM (Nov. 14): Results of the board vote could shape near‑term sentiment and governance reforms at Novo. The company will webcast the meeting at 14:00 CET. [15]
- Supply & access in obesity care: Follow pricing and availability in India as Poviztra rolls out, and any signals on manufacturing scale‑up for GLP‑1s globally. [16]
Bottom line for investors
- Pfizer (PFE): The Metsera deal gives Pfizer credible assets in obesity, but meaningful sales are not immediate; execution on clinical milestones and CVR triggers will drive how accretive the acquisition becomes. Near‑term, sentiment leans positive as Pfizer fills a strategic gap. [17]
- Novo Nordisk (NVO): Shares are benefiting today from deal discipline and an India access strategy, yet the boardroom overhang remains a swing factor this week. Resolution at Friday’s EGM—and any guidance on pipeline or capital allocation—will be key to stabilizing the narrative. [18]
Disclosure: This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Market data referenced (including premarket indications) may change throughout the trading day. [19]
References
1. www.reuters.com, 2. www.barrons.com, 3. www.reuters.com, 4. www.reuters.com, 5. www.reuters.com, 6. www.reuters.com, 7. ca.investing.com, 8. www.barrons.com, 9. www.reuters.com, 10. www.reuters.com, 11. www.reuters.com, 12. www.reuters.com, 13. www.reuters.com, 14. www.biospace.com, 15. www.novonordisk.com, 16. www.reuters.com, 17. www.barrons.com, 18. www.reuters.com, 19. ca.investing.com
