Lilly expands into genetic medicines with Verve's in vivo gene-editing therapies, aiming to replace chronic cardiovascular treatments with single-dose care.
Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Verve Therapeutics (Verve), a Boston-based biotechnology firm developing gene-editing therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (1). The acquisition highlights growing industry momentum toward single-course genetic medicines that aim to address the root causes of disease with durable, potentially lifelong effects.
Verve’s lead investigational treatment, VERVE-102, is designed to permanently switch off the PCSK9 gene in the liver, a key regulator of cholesterol levels. Therapies targeting the gene may benefit patients with inherited high cholesterol and others at risk for early-onset coronary artery disease. VERVE-102 is currently being studied in an early-stage clinical trial and has received Fast Track designation from FDA (2).
·Lilly acquisition of Verve signals strong pharma investment in one-time gene-editing therapies for cardiovascular disease treatment.
·The $1.3B deal highlights growing momentum in developing in vivo gene-editing medicines for inherited and early-onset cardiovascular conditions.
·VERVE-102, a gene editing therapy targeting PCSK9, could shift cardiovascular care from chronic treatment to single-dose intervention.
“VERVE-102 has the potential to be the first in vivo gene editing therapy for broad patient populations and could shift the treatment paradigm for cardiovascular disease from chronic care to one-and-done treatment,” said
Verve has spent the last seven years building a pipeline of gene-editing treatments aimed at the underlying genetic drivers of CVD (1). In addition to PCSK9 efforts, the company is advancing therapies to silence the ANGPTL3 and LPA genes that contribute to elevated triglycerides and lipoprotein(a) levels, both of which are established risk factors for cardiovascular events.
“Verve was founded with one mission in mind: transform the treatment of cardiovascular disease from chronic care to a one-dose future,” said
Kathiresan continued, “Lilly shares our vision, and we believe their global research, clinical, regulatory and commercial capabilities will help to accelerate the development of our medicines. My deepest thanks to the entire Verve team for their expertise, creativity, and grit. We are grateful to the investigators and patients who have contributed to the success of our clinical trials so far. Under Lilly's stewardship, we are excited to realize the next chapter in cardiovascular care where a single treatment can lead to lifelong reduction of cardiovascular risk factors and make life better for millions of patients living with cardiovascular disease.”
Under the agreement, Lilly will begin a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Verve at a price of $10.50 per share in cash (1), representing a purchase price of approximately $1.0 billion at closing. Each share also includes a non-tradeable contingent value right that entitles holders to an additional payment of up to $3.00 per share if a patient is dosed with VERVE-102 in a US-based, late-stage clinical trial within 10 years of the transaction’s closing. This brings the total potential value of the deal to about $1.3 billion. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, pending customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
To support the transaction, several of Verve’s largest shareholders have agreed to tender their shares. Collectively, these agreements represent about 17.8% of Verve’s outstanding common stock. Any remaining shares not tendered in the offer will be acquired through a second-step merger at the same price and terms. Lilly will determine how the acquisition is accounted for under
References
Eli Lilly and Company.
Verve Therapeutics.
