Pfizer to acquire drug maker Metsera for $4.9b

NEW YORK, Sept 22 (AFP): US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer will acquire Metsera, a maker of drugs for obesity and heart disease, for $4.9 billion, the companies said Monday.

With the purchase Pfizer aims to expand its portfolio by entering the huge and growing market for medicines to treat obesity.

"Obesity is a large and growing space with over 200 health conditions associated with it," Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in the statement.

"The proposed acquisition of Metsera aligns with our focus on directing our investments to the most impactful opportunities and propels Pfizer into this key therapeutic area," he said.