Eli Lilly to buy gene-editing biotech Verve for up to $1.3 billion

Eli Lilly said Tuesday that it will acquire Verve Therapeutics, a biotech developing gene-editing therapies for cardiovascular disease.

Lilly will acquire Verve for $10.50 per share, a premium of nearly 70% to the biotech’s share price at Monday’s close. The deal also includes an additional payment of $3 per share contingent on the first patient getting dosed in a Phase 3 trial of Verve’s lead candidate. In total, Lilly could pay up to $1.3 billion.

Flush with cash from its blockbuster GLP-1 drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound, Lilly has been expanding its research in genetic medicines. The Verve deal is in many ways a natural move for Lilly, as it already had an agreement with the biotech that gave it the choice to jointly develop and commercialize Verve’s lead candidate, a gene therapy aimed at lowering cholesterol.

STAT+ Exclusive Story

Already have an account? Log in

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+.

Already have an account? Log in

Individual plans

Group plans

Monthly

$39

Totals $468 per year

$39/month Get Started

Totals $468 per year

Starter

$30

for 3 months, then $399/year

$30 for 3 months Get Started

Then $399/year

Annual

$399

Save 15%

$399/year Get Started

Save 15%

11+ Users

Custom

Savings start at 25%!

Request A Quote Request A Quote

Savings start at 25%!

2-10 Users

$300

Annually per user

$300/year Get Started

$300 Annually per user

View All Plans

To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+.

Subscribe

Log In