U.S. drugmaker Pfizer could work its connections within President Donald Trump’s administration to try to thwart Novo Nordisk’s surprise rival bid to acquire U.S. obesity biotech firm Metsera, analysts, investors and lawyers said on Thursday.
Danish obesity and diabetes drug giant Novo said on Thursday it had bested Pfizer’s already agreed-upon deal, kicking off a fight for advantage in the market analysts forecast will grow to $150 billion. The next step is Pfizer’s, which has four business days to make a counteroffer, Metsera said, describing Novo’s bid as “superior.”
A Pfizer spokesperson did not have an immediate comment on whether the company would do so. The company has also said it is ready to legally challenge Novo’s bid.
The Trump administration is relatively transactional and tends to favor U.S.-oriented or politically savvy companies, Bernstein analyst Courtney Breen said. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has particularly close ties to the president, she added.
“If there is the potential for any political interference … Pfizer is on the right side of that equation at this point,” Breen said.
