Eli Lilly plans to acquire Verve Therapeutics to strengthen its pipeline of gene-editing treatments for cardiovascular disease.
US-based pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has announced its intention to buy Verve Therapeutics, a clinical-stage gene-editing biotech, in a deal that could reach $1.3 billion. Lilly will launch a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Verve at $10.50 per share in cash, totaling $1 billion. In addition, Verve shareholders will receive a non-tradeable contingent value right (CVR) worth $3 per share, taking the total potential value to $1.3 billion. However, the CVR payout is not guaranteed, and the deal is not tied to any financing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025.
According to The Economic Times, Verve Therapeutics, listed on Nasdaq, focuses on developing gene-editing medicines aimed at treating atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The company’s pipeline includes therapies that may be administered once in a lifetime, targeting genes that influence cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk. Lilly’s move reflects its growing interest in gene-editing tools and long-acting treatments beyond its current position in diabetes and weight loss therapies.
Verve’s lead product, VERVE-102, is an in vivo gene-editing therapy that targets the PCSK9 gene. This gene produces a protein that controls cholesterol by regulating LDL receptors in the liver. Disrupting this gene helps lower LDL cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease. VERVE-102 has completed Phase 1b trials and has been granted Fast Track designation by the US Food and Drug Administration.
PCSK9 inhibitors are already present in the market, with Sanofi’s Praluent and Amgen’s Repatha leading the category. However, current treatments require repeat dosing, while Verve’s approach aims to make a permanent change with a single treatment. Through the acquisition, Lilly plans to advance this one-time therapeutic model, aligning it with its broader cardiovascular and metabolic strategy.
In addition to VERVE-102, Verve’s pipeline includes VERVE-201, which targets the ANGPTL3 gene to reduce triglycerides and cholesterol, and VERVE-301, focused on lowering lipoprotein(a) levels by editing the LPA gene. Elevated lipoprotein(a) is linked to stroke, aortic disease, and other cardiovascular issues. These programs aim to address genetic drivers of cardiovascular conditions that current drugs often cannot fully manage.
The acquisition highlights Lilly’s growing interest in using gene editing for conditions where genetic factors play a major role. By combining Verve’s precision medicine approach with Lilly’s scale and experience in cardiometabolic care, the company aims to advance its position in a large and competitive therapy area. Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death globally, and long-term solutions continue to be a focus for pharmaceutical innovation.
Lilly has signaled that this acquisition supports its goal of building new treatment models using advanced genetic tools. As gene editing continues to develop as a field, companies are looking beyond traditional medications toward durable therapies that offer patients fewer interventions and better long-term outcomes. With this move, Lilly is betting on the potential for once-in-a-lifetime treatments to change how chronic conditions like heart disease are managed.
