Novo Nordisk’s Bid for Metsera Draws Attention of FTC Staff

The Federal Trade Commission headquarters in Washington.

Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

Staff at the US Federal Trade Commission said it appears Novo Nordisk A/S’ proposed bid for Metsera Inc. “may violate the procedural provisions” of the law that requires a premerger review.

In a letter to lawyers for Novo and Metsera dated Nov. 4, Daniel Guarnera, director of the FTC’s bureau of competition, said Novo’s offer would violate the Hart-Scott-Rodino Premerger Notification Act if it’s consummated “without first filing for premerger review.”