Pfizer Inc. accused Novo Nordisk A/S of trying to stifle competition in the weight-loss market by attempting to acquire obesity startup Metsera Inc., the second lawsuit in four days as Pfizer tries to retain its grip on a deal that Novo upended last week.

In a statement on Monday, Pfizer said it filed a new lawsuit against Novo and Metsera on antitrust grounds, saying the company’s taking action to “stop Novo Nordisk from illegally paying off Metsera and its controlling stockholders to gain control of, and impair and potentially kill, an emerging US competitor.”

Pfizer filed a flurry of lawsuits after Novo surprised Wall Street with a bid for Metsera, which Pfizer was already in the process of acquiring. Novo is offering at least $6.5 billion to Metsera shareholders, with the possibility

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