Lilly Commits $4.55B for Ajax Acquisition and Profluent Partnership
Lilly will pay up to $2.3 billion to acquire Ajax Therapeutics, securing an oral myelofibrosis candidate with key data due later this year. The company also agreed to invest up to $2.25 billion in a genetic medicine partnership with Profluent Biotherapeutics to broaden its pipeline.
1. Ajax Therapeutics Acquisition
Lilly agreed to acquire Ajax Therapeutics for up to $2.3 billion in cash, comprising an upfront payment and milestone-based payouts tied to clinical and regulatory milestones. Ajax’s lead candidate is a once-daily oral therapy in early-stage studies for myelofibrosis, with pivotal data expected later this year, reflecting Lilly’s strategy to bolster its oncology pipeline.
2. Profluent Biotherapeutics Partnership
Lilly also entered a genetic medicine collaboration with Profluent Biotherapeutics with potential payments totaling up to $2.25 billion. This partnership expands Lilly’s R&D into genetic therapies, leveraging Profluent’s platform to diversify its pipeline and target novel modalities beyond its current diabetes and obesity franchises.