Centessa Pharmaceuticals Shares Soar 44.4% to $39.90 on $6.3B Eli Lilly Deal
Centessa Pharmaceuticals shares jumped 44.4% intraday to $39.90 after agreeing to a $6.3 billion acquisition by Eli Lilly, marking its best day on record. Call and put option volume surged to 3,467 calls and 2,687 puts, 11 times the typical daily flow, as the stock reached an all-time high.
1. Acquisition Deal Terms
Eli Lilly will acquire Centessa Pharmaceuticals for $6.3 billion, representing a per-share price near $40. The deal expands Lilly’s metabolic and sleep disorder portfolio by integrating Centessa’s late-stage neuroscience assets.
2. Stock Performance
Centessa shares soared 44.4% intraday to $39.90, reaching an all-time high of $40.26 and marking the strongest one-day gain in company history. The stock continues trading above its rising 40-day moving average, extending a nine-month gain exceeding 203%.
3. Analyst Ratings and Options Activity
Needham, B. Riley and Piper Sandler each downgraded Centessa to hold or neutral after a string of buy recommendations from other firms. Options traders executed 3,467 calls and 2,687 puts—11 times typical volume—with April 30 calls the most active contracts.