By Sufiyan Khan 
Lilly Acquires Verve: A $1.3 Billion Leap Toward One-Time Heart Disease Treatment
In a groundbreaking development, Lilly acquires Verve, a clinical-stage gene-editing company, in a deal worth up to $1.3 billion, marking a strategic expansion into next-generation cardiovascular therapies. The acquisition is seen as a pivotal moment in transforming chronic heart care into a potentially one-time genetic treatment, with Verve’s pioneering approach leading the charge.
Why Lilly Acquires Verve: The Strategic Vision
The announcement that Lilly acquires Verve reflects Eli Lilly’s broader ambition to diversify beyond its successful diabetes and weight-loss treatments like Mounjaro and Zepbound. While those drugs are expected to generate over $30 billion in revenue this year, Lilly’s investment in gene-editing signifies a long-term strategy focused on innovation in cardiometabolic disease.
Verve Therapeutics, headquartered in Boston, is developing cutting-edge in vivo gene-editing therapies targeting atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Their flagship program, VERVE-102, is a potential first-in-class therapy that edits the PCSK9 gene—a key regulator of cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk.
What the Deal Includes
Under the acquisition agreement, Lilly acquires Verve at a purchase price of $10.50 per share in cash, representing a 67.5% premium over Verve’s previous closing price. Additionally, shareholders may receive a contingent value right (CVR) worth up to $3.00 per share, depending on the achievement of a key clinical milestone—specifically, dosing of the first patient in a U.S. Phase 3 trial of VERVE-102. This brings the total potential value to $13.50 per share, or approximately $1.3 billion.
Market Impact and Investor Reaction
The stock market responded swiftly to the news that Lilly acquires Verve. Shares of Verve surged over 75%, reflecting investor optimism about the future of gene-editing in cardiology. On the other hand, Lilly’s stock experienced a minor dip, down 1.8%, as investors digested the long-term implications of the acquisition.
Analysts view the move as a strong strategic fit for Lilly’s cardiometabolic focus. Carter Gould of Cantor Fitzgerald noted that while pivotal trials for VERVE-102 might not commence until 2027, the long-term potential for a “one-and-done” heart treatment aligns well with Lilly’s vision.
How Verve’s Technology Works
At the heart of this deal is Verve’s proprietary base editing technology, which allows precise, one-time changes to DNA without making double-stranded breaks. This technology underpins VERVE-102, currently in Phase 1 clinical trials and designated as a Fast Track therapy by the U.S. FDA.
VERVE-102 targets individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH)—a genetic disorder that affects approximately 1 in 250 people and leads to dangerously high cholesterol levels. The therapy could also benefit individuals with premature coronary artery disease (CAD), offering a potential lifetime reduction in cardiovascular risk with a single treatment.
Industry Implications: A Boost to Gene Editing
The news that Lilly acquires Verve is being hailed as a much-needed boost for the gene-editing sector. The field has struggled in recent years due to investor caution and the rise of competing therapeutic technologies. Verve’s success—and Lilly’s confidence in its approach—has renewed interest in peer companies like Intellia Therapeutics, CRISPR Therapeutics, Editas Medicine, and Beam Therapeutics, all of which saw stock gains following the announcement.
Liisa Bayko of Evercore ISI commented that the acquisition is a “welcome boost to the gene-editing space,” signaling renewed confidence in the long-term viability of genetic medicine.
Executive Perspectives
Ruth Gimeno, Lilly’s group vice president of Diabetes and Metabolic R&D, described the acquisition as a paradigm shift:
“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.”
Similarly, Dr. Sekar Kathiresan, co-founder and CEO of Verve Therapeutics, emphasized the alignment of missions:
“Lilly shares our vision. This partnership will help us realize our goal of transforming cardiovascular disease treatment with a single-dose therapy.”
The Path Ahead
While the fact that Lilly acquires Verve is making headlines now, the real impact will unfold over the next several years. Clinical development remains in early stages, and the path to regulatory approval will require extensive testing and validation. Nevertheless, the combination of Lilly’s global R&D and commercial infrastructure with Verve’s cutting-edge science positions this deal as a potential game-changer in cardiovascular care.
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
Conclusion: Why Lilly Acquires Verve Matters
The decision that Lilly acquires Verve is more than a business deal—it’s a strategic bet on the future of medicine. By investing in genetic therapies that aim to cure rather than manage disease, Eli Lilly is setting the stage for a new era in cardiovascular treatment. If successful, VERVE-102 and other pipeline candidates could reduce lifetime cardiovascular risk with a single dose, transforming the patient experience and rewriting the standards of care.
As the biotech world watches closely, Lilly’s acquisition of Verve could mark the beginning of a one-time treatment revolution—one that might just redefine how we fight heart disease in the years to come.
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