Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) has taken a bold leap into the future of cardiovascular treatment with its $1.3 billion acquisition of Verve Therapeutics, a clinical-stage gene-editing company focused on one-time therapies to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease. Announced in June 2025, the deal involves an upfront payment of approximately $1 billion in cash at $10.50 per share, with an additional $300 million tied to clinical milestones. Verve’s lead candidate, VERVE-102, is a next-generation base-editing therapy targeting PCSK9—a gene tied to LDL cholesterol levels. Early Phase 1b data revealed that a single infusion achieved LDL reductions of up to 69%, with a mean of 59% at the highest dose level and no serious safety signals. As Lilly integrates Verve's pipeline and platform, the acquisition is being seen as a move to bolster its presence in the gene editing domain and redefine its long-term cardiometabolic portfolio.
Strengthening Cardiometabolic Dominance With A One-Time Therapy Platform
Eli Lilly has built a strong foundation in the cardiometabolic space through its diabetes and obesity franchises, including GLP-1 products like Mounjaro. The acquisition of Verve gives Lilly access to a fundamentally different approach—genetic medicines that aim to address the root cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) with a single dose. Verve’s platform, particularly VERVE-102, targets the PCSK9 gene using a proprietary in vivo base editing method. Unlike traditional therapies like statins or PCSK9 inhibitors (Repatha, Praluent, or Leqvio) that require chronic dosing, VERVE-102 edits DNA in liver cells to permanently reduce LDL cholesterol levels. In early human trials, Verve demonstrated a 59% mean reduction in LDL-C at the highest dose, with some patients reaching 69%, and no clinically significant safety issues. With most current therapies suffering from poor patient adherence over time, a one-time solution could meet the need for durable efficacy. For Lilly, which already has a broad portfolio of cardiometabolic products, Verve’s approach complements its pipeline and provides a new axis of growth in a competitive and innovation-driven market. The base editing approach, combined with a GalNAc-lipid nanoparticle delivery system that specifically targets liver cells, adds technical sophistication and potential safety advantages over first-generation editing tools. By integrating Verve’s gene-editing platform into its existing infrastructure, Lilly positions itself to lead not just in treating cardiometabolic symptoms, but in modifying underlying disease biology.
Diversifying Therapeutic Modalities Beyond Chronic & Injectables
The acquisition allows Lilly to diversify its therapeutic modalities beyond small molecules and biologics into the fast-emerging domain of gene editing. While Lilly has long relied on chronic medications, particularly injectables and daily pills, Verve offers an entry point into one-time treatments that could alter how chronic diseases are managed. Verve’s entire business model centers around treating cardiovascular conditions like ASCVD, HeFH, and elevated triglycerides using single-course base editing therapies. In contrast to siRNA-based therapeutics such as Novartis’ Leqvio or Alnylam’s zilebesiran, which require biannual or monthly administration, VERVE-102 and subsequent programs may offer permanent solutions. The lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system used by Verve has shown a favorable safety profile in early studies, avoiding liver enzyme spikes or platelet reductions seen with earlier approaches. Moreover, Verve’s strategy to move from weight-based to fixed-dose RNA delivery simplifies manufacturing and enhances scalability. The base editor and guide RNA used in VERVE-102 remain consistent with earlier versions, providing continuity and confidence in long-term efficacy and safety. Importantly, Lilly’s acquisition of Verve also gives it control of ongoing clinical development and future commercialization in the U.S., while retaining global rights through licensing structures. As the regulatory environment becomes more open to base editing innovations—highlighted by recent FDA discussions and successful case studies—Lilly now has a seat at the forefront of gene-editing-based chronic disease treatment, without having to reinvent its commercial or R&D infrastructure from scratch.
Leveraging a Derisked Pipeline With Broad Clinical & Regulatory Momentum
Another key advantage for Lilly lies in Verve’s relatively derisked pipeline. VERVE-102 builds upon the earlier VERVE-101 program but uses an improved lipid nanoparticle composition and incorporates a GalNAc targeting ligand to enhance liver-specific delivery and minimize off-target effects. Verve’s strategy to preserve the “cargo”—its base editor and guide RNA—across multiple candidates provides manufacturing and development continuity. Importantly, the early clinical data presented in April 2025 covered 14 patients, showing consistent LDL-C reductions and no serious adverse events, including a lack of ALT elevations or platelet abnormalities. This safety and efficacy data is bolstered by preclinical evidence of up to two years of LDL reduction, with durability expected to extend further based on editing of liver progenitor cells that continue to replicate the therapeutic edit over time. Regulatory outlook also appears favorable. The U.S. FDA has granted Fast Track designation for VERVE-102 and recent developments, such as a successful custom base editing case in a pediatric patient, signal openness to innovative therapies that address the root causes of chronic conditions. Furthermore, Lilly’s opt-in rights—originally set for later this year—have now been executed ahead of schedule via full acquisition, underscoring its confidence in the program’s development trajectory. With additional data expected in H2 2025 from the full dose-escalation cohort and Verve’s second and third programs (targeting ANGPTL3 and LPA) following a similar modular development approach, Lilly now owns a pipeline that is not only advancing clinically but aligned with regulatory and scientific momentum in the space.
Strategic Cost Efficiency & Scalable Market Access Potential
While gene-editing therapies are often associated with ultra-rare diseases and seven-figure price tags, Verve's model is designed for scale, not exclusivity. The company's base editing programs address common conditions like HeFH and ASCVD, which affect millions globally. Verve’s approach, particularly for VERVE-102, focuses on cost-efficient production using mRNA and lipid nanoparticles—technologies scaled globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. The manufacturing cost of one dose is estimated at approximately $1,500, making it dramatically cheaper than viral vector-based therapies. This pricing flexibility offers Lilly a powerful lever in commercial negotiations with payers and health systems. Market research conducted by Verve also suggests strong physician and patient interest in one-time therapies, especially among younger patients with inherited or early-onset cardiovascular risk. Surveys show that up to 40% of cardiologists would prefer a one-time gene-editing solution for HeFH patients over daily pills or injections, even when accounting for future oral PCSK9 options. Additionally, Verve’s engagement with ICER and other cost-effectiveness modeling bodies indicates that two years of flat LDL-C reduction data may be sufficient to justify multi-year therapeutic credit in pricing models. With expected 15-year long-term follow-up data mandated by regulators and multiple years of human durability data already underway, Lilly is entering a space where the economics and scale potential align more favorably than most gene-editing programs seen to date. This scalability, paired with favorable production costs, positions Lilly to bring gene-editing to a broader patient population without inheriting the financial burden typical of gene therapy launches.
Final Thoughts
Source: Yahoo Finance
Eli Lilly’s stock volatility and its recent limelight has largely been a result of its progress on the GLP-1 front and its rivalry with Novo Nordisk in the weight loss domain. However, the company has done relevant acquisitions from time to time and proven to the market that it is not a one-trick pony. Acquiring Verve Therapeutics marks another strategic expansion into gene editing with the potential to redefine treatment for cardiovascular disease. By securing Verve’s pipeline, including the promising VERVE-102 program and its broader base-editing platform, Lilly gains a foothold in the emerging landscape of one-time therapies for chronic conditions. The deal enhances Lilly’s cardiometabolic portfolio, introduces scalable cost-effective therapeutic options, and aligns the company with evolving regulatory support for precision genetic medicines. Despite the possible clinical risks ahead, we perceive this acquisition as a potential game changer for Eli Lilly in the years to come.