Nov 13 (Reuters) - Metsera ( MTSR ) shareholders on

Thursday approved Pfizer's ( PFE ) takeover offer worth up to

$10 billion, as per preliminary count, allowing the U.S.

pharmaceutical giant to gain a foothold in the lucrative obesity

treatment market after a fierce bidding war with Wegovy-maker

Novo Nordisk.

The approval paves the way for Pfizer ( PFE ) to diversify

beyond its shrinking COVID-19 portfolio, navigate looming patent

expirations, and tap into the booming market for weight-loss

drugs that analysts estimate could be worth $150 billion

annually by the end of the decade.

Metsera's ( MTSR ) board had unanimously recommended shareholders

to approve the amended Pfizer ( PFE ) merger agreement, which

valued

the biotech at up to $86.25 per share, including an upfront

payment of $65.60 per share in cash and up to $20.65 per share

additionally, contingent on the success of its pipeline of

drugs.