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A $1.9 billion RNA exon-editing pact that gives Eli Lilly exclusive rights to Ascidian's platform for undisclosed monogenic kidney disease targets. The deal marks Ascidian's second major-pharma partnership after its 2024 Roche neurology collaboration, though the milestone-heavy structure leaves near-term cash modest.
Lilly, Ascidian link up in RNA exon editing pact. Per deal terms, Lilly will hand Ascidian as much as $1.9 billion, inclusive of an upfront payment, payouts…
Lilly, Ascidian Launch Up-to-$1.9B RNA Exon Editor Collaboration Targeting Inherited Kidney Diseases. Eli Lilly has expanded its genetic medicines pipeline and…
Eli Lilly continues genetic medicine push with $1.9bn Ascidian partnership. The collaboration leverages Ascidian's RNA exon editing technology, which corrects…
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On June 3, 2026, Eli Lilly and Boston-based Ascidian Therapeutics entered a global research collaboration and exclusive license agreement to discover and develop RNA exon editing therapies for undisclosed monogenic (inherited) kidney diseases, with an option to expand to additional targets. Lilly gains exclusive rights to apply Ascidian's RNA exon-editing platform — which replaces faulty stretches of RNA rather than permanently altering DNA — against certain kidney targets. Ascidian leads early research and some preclinical work; Lilly is responsible for later development, manufacturing and commercialization. Ascidian is eligible for up to $1.9 billion including an undisclosed upfront payment plus development, regulatory and sales milestones and tiered royalties. The pact follows Ascidian's 2024 Roche neurology collaboration, giving the company major-pharma partners in two areas: Roche in neurology, Lilly in genetic kidney disease.
Monogenic (inherited) kidney diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders caused by single-gene mutations that drive progressive kidney damage and failure. Many involve large genes or high mutational variance that are difficult to address with conventional gene-editing or oligonucleotide approaches, leaving high unmet need. Specific targets in the Lilly collaboration are undisclosed.
Discovery/preclinical platform collaboration. Lilly gains exclusive rights to apply Ascidian's RNA exon-editing platform — which replaces faulty multi-exon stretches of RNA at kilobase scale without altering DNA — against undisclosed monogenic kidney targets, with an option to expand. No clinical candidate disclosed.
Eli Lilly and Ascidian Therapeutics entered a global research collaboration and exclusive license to develop RNA exon-editing therapies for undisclosed monogenic kidney diseases, with an option to expand to additional targets. Up to $1.9B (undisclosed upfront + development/regulatory/sales milestones) plus tiered royalties. Ascidian leads early research; Lilly leads later development, manufacturing and commercialization.
Transaction between Eli Lilly and Ascidian Therapeutics is pending completion. Assessment will be updated upon deal close.
| Deal | Year | Value | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eli Lilly and Company / Ascidian Therapeutics, Inc. (this deal) | 2026 | $1.9B | 62 |
| Eli Lilly and Company / Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH | 2011 | $444M | 89 |
| Eli Lilly and Company / Loxo Oncology, Inc. | 2019 | $8.0B | 88 |
| Eli Lilly and Company / Applied Molecular Evolution Inc. | 2003 | $400M | 88 |
| Eli Lilly and Company / ICOS Corporation | 2006 | $2.3B | 87 |
| Eli Lilly and Company / Novartis Animal Health | 2014 | $5.4B | 70 |
| Eli Lilly and Company / Incyte Corporation | 2009 | $755M | 69 |
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