Pfizer gets US antitrust clearance for Metsera deal

(Reuters) -Pfizer said on Friday it has received an early clearance from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission for its proposed acquisition of Metsera, removing a key regulatory hurdle for the deal valued at up to $7.3 billion.

The FTC granted early termination of the waiting period required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, which governs antitrust reviews of large mergers. The waiting period was originally set to expire on November 7.

The clearance means Pfizer can move ahead with its proposed purchase of Metsera without further antitrust review from U.S. regulators.

Shares of Pfizer closed about 1.5% higher on Friday.

(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)