Eli Lilly and Company announced a definitive agreement to acquire Verve Therapeutics for up to $1.3 billion, marking a significant investment in gene editing technology that could revolutionize cardiovascular disease treatment. The acquisition targets Verve's pipeline of one-time gene editing medicines designed to provide lifelong cardiovascular risk reduction through single-dose treatments.
Revolutionary Gene Editing Approach
Verve Therapeutics has developed a novel approach to treating atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) through in vivo gene editing medicines that may only need to be administered once in a lifetime. The company's lead program, VERVE-102, represents a potential first-in-class treatment targeting the PCSK9 gene, which is strongly linked to cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health.
"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 Ruth Gimeno, Lilly group vice president, Diabetes and Metabolic Research and Development.
Clinical Development and Regulatory Status
VERVE-102 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1b clinical trial and has been granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The treatment is initially being developed for people with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), a subset of ASCVD that affects 1 in 250 people in the general population, as well as certain patients with premature coronary artery disease.
The therapy is designed to permanently turn off the PCSK9 gene in the liver, potentially providing sustained cholesterol reduction without the need for chronic medication administration.
Comprehensive Pipeline Targeting Multiple Pathways
Beyond VERVE-102, Verve's pipeline includes two additional programs targeting different lipoprotein drivers of atherosclerosis. VERVE-201 is designed to permanently turn off the ANGPTL3 gene and is being developed for refractory hypercholesterolemia and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. VERVE-301 targets the LPA gene to reduce lipoprotein(a) levels, addressing a genetically validated risk factor for ASCVD, ischemic stroke, thrombosis, and aortic stenosis.
Strategic Rationale and Financial Terms
The acquisition reflects Lilly's commitment to expanding its cardiovascular and genetic medicine capabilities. "Verve was founded with one mission in mind: transform the treatment of cardiovascular disease from chronic care to a one-dose future," said Sekar Kathiresan, M.D., co-founder and chief executive officer of Verve Therapeutics. "In just seven years, our team has progressed three in vivo gene editing products, with two currently in the clinic."
Under the agreement terms, Lilly will pay $10.50 per share in cash at closing (approximately $1.0 billion) plus contingent value rights worth up to an additional $3.00 per share. The contingent payments become available upon the first patient being dosed with VERVE-102 for ASCVD in a U.S. Phase 3 clinical trial within ten years of closing.
The purchase price represents a premium of approximately 113% to the 30-day volume-weighted average trading price of Verve's common stock as of June 16, 2025. Verve's board of directors unanimously recommends that stockholders tender their shares in the offer.
Timeline and Closing Conditions
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions including the tender of a majority of Verve's outstanding shares. Key stakeholders including Sekar Kathiresan, Andrew Ashe, and entities affiliated with GV have signed tender and support agreements covering approximately 17.8% of Verve's outstanding common stock.
The acquisition positions Lilly to leverage its established capabilities in cardiometabolic disease and genetic medicines alongside Verve's innovative gene editing platform, potentially accelerating the development of transformative cardiovascular treatments that could benefit millions of patients worldwide.
