Eli Lilly Bets Big on the Future of One-Time Gene Editing: The $1.3 Billion Verve Deal Explained!

Eli Lilly has made a bold move into the gene editing space with its announced acquisition of Verve Therapeutics for up to $1.3 billion. The deal includes a $1 billion upfront payment and up to $300 million in contingent milestone-based payouts, valuing Verve at $13.50 per share—a 113% premium to its 30-day average. Verve, a Boston-based clinical-stage biotech, is pioneering one time gene editing therapies for cardiovascular disease. Its lead program, VERVE-102, targets PCSK9, a gene tied to cholesterol regulation and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), using in vivo base editing via lipid nanoparticles. With recent Phase 1b data showing LDL cholesterol reductions of up to 69% and no major safety issues, the acquisition adds a cutting-edge platform to Lilly’s cardiometabolic arsenal. The deal reflects a strategic effort by Lilly to shift away from chronic care models toward potentially curative one-and-done therapies, signaling its growing ambition in next-generation genetic medicine.