Jan 31 (Reuters) - Shares of weight-loss drug developer

Metsera surged nearly 42% in a strong Nasdaq debut on

Friday, valuing the ARCH Venture Partners-backed biotech firm at

$2.68 billion.

Shares of the company opened at $25.5 apiece, compared with

the initial public offering (IPO) price of $18.

New York City-based Metsera sold 15.28 million shares at $18

apiece, after downsizing its IPO. The company had initially

marketed 17.19 million shares at a range of $15 to $17 per

share.

The strong market debut of a New York City-based biotech

company's initial public offering highlights the growing

investor interest in companies developing innovative weight-loss

treatments.

Some experts expect that the global weight-loss drug market

could be valued at $150 billion by the early 2030s.