Eli Lilly has agreed to acquire three biotechnology companies in deals valued at up to $3.83 billion, signaling a major push into vaccine development for some of the world's most common and dangerous infections.
The U.S. drugmaker will buy Curevo, LimmaTech Biologics, and Vaccine Company through a mix of upfront and milestone payments, expanding its pipeline beyond its blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss treatments.
Curevo has developed a shingles vaccine, amezosvatein, which in a phase 2 trial showed immune protection comparable to the current standard from GSK, with significantly fewer side effects. Many patients skip the second dose of existing vaccines due to fatigue, chills, and pain. Lilly will pay up to $1.5 billion for Curevo.
LimmaTech Biologics, based in Switzerland, is developing vaccines against bacterial infections resistant to antibiotics, including a candidate targeting Staphylococcus aureus for surgical-site infections, as well as treatments for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Lilly will pay up to $780 million.
Vaccine Company is developing a jab against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), linked to cancers, multiple sclerosis, and lupus. Its lead candidate is approaching first human trials. Lilly will pay up to $1.55 billion.
Daniel Skovronsky, Lilly's Chief Scientific Officer, said vaccines have vast unrealized potential, noting that decades of evidence link common infections to diseases that emerge years later, including neurological disease, cancer, and infertility. All deals are subject to regulatory approval.