Eli Lilly bolsters infectious disease portfolio with acquisitions totalling $3.8bn

Eli Lilly is building on its investments in differentiated technology platforms with the acquisition of three vaccines-focused acquisitions, for a potential sum of $3.8 billion.

The three companies, Curevo, LimmaTech Biologics AG and Vaccine Company, all target viral pathogens linked to long-term neurological and oncological risk and bacterial pathogens that are difficult to prevent or treat. Lilly’s purchase of these biotech companies expand its R&D efforts into infectious disease.

Expanding therapeutic options for shingles prevention

Lilly will acquire Curevo for up to $1.5 billion, of which the company is eligible for via success-based milestone payments.

Curevo is advancing amezosvatein, a subunit vaccine candidate for the prevention of shingles in adults. The next-generation, synthetic adjuvant design is intended to overcome current tolerability challenges. Phase II data shows that amezosvatein matched immune response across all primary endpoints and reduced side effects by more than half compared to standard of care.

Addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

Lilly will acquire LimmaTech Biologics for up to $780 million, subject to the achievement of certain clinical and regulatory milestones.

LimmaTech is developing vaccines against bacterial pathogens driving antimicrobial resistance, including Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Chlamydia trachomatis. Its platform is designed to generate broad, durable immune responses by targeting the toxins and superantigens that drive disease.

LimmaTech’s lead programme, LTB-SA7, is in Phase I development as a vaccine against S. aureus, the leading cause of surgical-site infection.

Enhancing vaccine manufacturing

Lilly is also acquiring Vaccine Company for up to $1.55 billion, subject to achievement of certain clinical and commercial milestones.

Vaccine Company is developing in vivo nanoparticle (IVN) technologies that enable the antigen display known to elicit durable immune responses associated with virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines, while avoiding the manufacturing burden of conventional VLP production.

The company’s pipeline includes a five-antigen, phase I-ready candidate that applies in vivo nanoparticle (IVN) technology to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).

[As AMR] erodes our ability to treat bacterial infections, vaccines are increasingly the only path to prevention. Combining these companies’ platforms and teams with Lilly’s global scale positions us to change that trajectory”

Dr Daniel Skovronsky, Chief Scientific and Product Officer, and President, Lilly Research Laboratories, said: “These acquisitions reflect a deliberate strategy to prevent disease at its source rather than treat its consequences.

“[As] antimicrobial resistance erodes our ability to treat bacterial infections, vaccines are increasingly the only path to prevention. Combining these companies’ platforms and teams with Lilly’s global scale positions us to change that trajectory.”

In April, Lilly added to its neuroscience portfolio by agreeing to buy Centessa Pharmaceuticals for $7.8 billion. The deal includes a potential best-in-class asset for excessive daytime sleepiness.