Shares in IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO) rose 9% on Monday after investors welcomed the potential for future royalty income from Metsera, a biotech company that Pfizer has agreed to acquire for up to $7.3 billion.
The agreement, announced in September, includes $4.9 billion in upfront cash and gives Pfizer control of Metsera’s portfolio of next-generation obesity treatments.
The most advanced candidate, MET-097i, is designed to be injected once a month rather than weekly, a potential advantage over current market leaders such as Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
IP Group, the London-listed investor in breakthrough science ventures, retains financial exposure to several of Metsera’s obesity drug programmes through its former portfolio company Zihipp, which was acquired by Metsera in 2023.
The group is entitled to milestone payments and a small percentage of future sales if any of the compounds reach the market, with proceeds shared equally with Imperial College London.
Chief executive Greg Smith said the company was encouraged by Metsera’s latest phase IIb results and plans to start phase III trials next year. He added that Metsera’s therapies could “ease pressure on healthcare systems with fewer injections and better tolerability.”
The update reinforced IP Group’s position as a key backer of university spin-outs in fast-growing areas such as obesity and metabolic health.
The shares rose 5p to 58.10p.