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IP Group PLC on Monday reported ‘potential royalty income’ from possible obesity drugs by Metsera Inc. The London-based investor in science and technology companies noted Pfizer Inc struck a deal in September to acquire Metsera for up to $7.3 billion, $4.9 billion upfront. IP said: ‘The group benefits from financial exposure to a number of Metsera’s obesity drug programmes following Metsera’s acquisition of former IP Group portfolio company Zihipp in 2023. IP Group owns and exclusively licenses to Zihipp certain underlying IP relating to Metsera’s programmes including its lead product MET-097i as well as MET-233, MET-034 and MET-067. ‘IP Group is entitled to receive future returns from these compounds through a combination of technical and commercial milestone payments, as well as tiered, low-single digit percentage royalties on net sales of the licensed products. 50% of all monies received by the group from Metsera is payable to Imperial College London under revenue share arrangements. It should be noted that any future royalties remain subject to the eventual approval and launch of new drugs based on the licensed compounds, which is not certain.’ IP Chief Executive Greg Smith said: ‘We are encouraged by Metsera’s phase 2b results for MET097i and its plans to initiate phase 3 in 2025. Obesity is a global health challenge and Metsera’s next generation programmes could ease pressure on healthcare systems with fewer injections and better tolerability. As Metsera advances its portfolio, IP Group’s shareholders are positioned to benefit, primarily through sustainable royalty income, should these therapies achieve approval and commercial momentum.’ IP Group shares were up 13% to 60.10 pence each on Monday morning in London, making it the third-best performer in the FTSE 250, which was up just 1.0%. Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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