Eli Lilly Signs $2.25bn AI Gene-Editing Pact with Profluent
Eli Lilly will provide undisclosed upfront funds and up to $2.25bn in milestone payments to Profluent for AI-driven development of site-specific recombinases, securing exclusive clinical development rights. The partnership uses AI to develop kilobase-scale DNA editing tools for diseases with severe unmet needs, complementing Lilly's $21bn biotech acquisitions spree.
1. Deal Terms and Financial Commitments
Under the agreement, Lilly will fund Profluent’s R&D with an undisclosed upfront payment plus eligibility for $2.25bn in development and commercial milestone payments, and will receive exclusive rights to advance selected recombinases through clinical development and commercialization.
2. AI-Driven Kilobase-Scale DNA Editing
Profluent will apply its AI-driven platform to engineer site-specific recombinases capable of kilobase-scale DNA editing, aiming to correct diverse patient mutations across diseases with severe unmet needs.
3. Strategic Deal Making by Lilly
This partnership follows Lilly’s recent recombinase collaboration worth $1.12bn and forms part of its broader $21bn biotech acquisition spree, which includes a $2.3bn purchase of Ajax Therapeutics and investments in cancer and gene-editing startups.