Lilly acquires three companies to expand infectious disease portfolio

Summary

Eli Lilly is acquiring three biotechs to expand an infectious-disease prevention portfolio, prioritizing vaccine platforms that address viral and bacterial pathogens linked to long-term neurological, oncological and reproductive harms.

Curevo — shingles vaccine

Curevo's lead candidate amezosvatein is an adjuvanted subunit vaccine for adult shingles that in a Phase 2 head‑to‑head trial matched immune endpoints versus the standard of care while reducing activity‑limiting fatigue, chills and injection‑site pain by more than half; a better‑tolerated option could raise vaccination uptake and potentially reduce shingles‑associated risks such as stroke and dementia.

LimmaTech — bacterial-toxin platform

LimmaTech develops vaccines targeting bacterial toxins and superantigens to generate broad, durable responses against complex pathogens; its lead LTB‑SA7 is in Phase 1 for Staphylococcus aureus (a leading cause of surgical‑site infection) and preclinical programs target Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, pathogens linked to infertility and other long‑term consequences that disproportionately affect women.

Vaccine Company — nanoparticle VLP technology

Vaccine Company's In Vivo Nanoparticle (IVN) technology aims to deliver virus‑like particle antigen presentation without traditional VLP manufacturing; the lead program is a five‑antigen, Phase‑1‑ready Epstein‑Barr virus (EBV) prophylactic candidate, with potential to prevent infectious mononucleosis and EBV‑associated risks including multiple sclerosis and certain malignancies.

Deal terms and next steps

Agreements provide up to $1.5B for Curevo, up to $780M for LimmaTech and up to $1.55B for Vaccine Company, each comprising an upfront cash payment plus contingent milestone payouts; transactions are subject to customary closing conditions, including the Hart‑Scott‑Rodino waiting period, and accounting treatment will be determined post‑close under GAAP.