Story perspectives

Eli Lilly Acquires Orna Therapeutics for $2.4 Billion

2/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Eli Lilly and Company announced its acquisition of Orna Therapeutics for up to $2.4 billion to bolster its in vivo Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy capabilities.
Orna Therapeutics specializes in engineered circular RNA technology, and its lead program ORN-252 targets B cell-driven autoimmune diseases.
The acquisition includes an upfront payment and milestone-based payments.
Francisco Ramírez-Valle, Senior Vice President at Eli Lilly, noted the potential to simplify cell therapy delivery.

History

Historical Context

In 2020, the FDA approved Kymriah, the first CAR-T therapy, marking a significant advancement in cancer treatment. Eli Lilly's recent $2.4 billion acquisition of Orna Therapeutics aims to bolster its CAR-T capabilities, reflecting a broader trend in biotechnology where companies like Novartis and Gilead invest heavily in cell therapies, potentially leading to more effective treatments and heightened competition in gene therapy.

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Story summary

Eli Lilly and Company announced its acquisition of Orna Therapeutics for up to $2.4 billion to bolster its in vivo Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy capabilities.
Orna Therapeutics specializes in engineered circular RNA technology, and its lead program ORN-252 targets B cell-driven autoimmune diseases.
The acquisition includes an upfront payment and milestone-based payments.
Francisco Ramírez-Valle, Senior Vice President at Eli Lilly, noted the potential to simplify cell therapy delivery.

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