Lilly to Acquire Ventyx Biosciences to Strengthen Oral Treatments for Inflammatory Diseases
Thursday, January 08, 2026
Eli Lilly and Company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ventyx Biosciences, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego. The acquisition aims to expand Lilly’s portfolio of oral therapies for diseases driven by inflammation.
Ventyx is developing a range of small-molecule drugs, including NLRP3 inhibitors, designed to treat inflammation across several areas with high unmet medical need. These include cardiometabolic conditions, neurodegenerative diseases and inflammatory disorders. The company’s clinical programmes focus on key immune pathways, with the goal of improving effectiveness and safety compared with current treatment options.
The transaction will strengthen Lilly’s research pipeline in chronic inflammatory diseases, where growing evidence shows inflammation plays a major role in disease progression. The addition of Ventyx’s assets is expected to support Lilly’s work in cardiometabolic health, neurodegeneration and autoimmune conditions.
Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will acquire all outstanding shares of Ventyx for USD 14.00 per share in an all-cash deal. This values Ventyx at approximately USD 1.2 billion. The transaction is not subject to financing conditions and is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to shareholder approval, regulatory clearance and other customary closing conditions.
The offer price represents a premium of around 62% compared with Ventyx’s 30-day volume-weighted average share price as of 5 January 2026. The boards of directors of both companies have approved the deal. Shareholders representing about 10% of Ventyx’s outstanding shares have also agreed to support and vote in favour of the transaction.
Lilly will determine the accounting treatment of the acquisition in line with generally accepted accounting principles once the deal is completed, after which it will be reflected in the company’s financial results and guidance.
BofA Securities is acting as financial adviser to Lilly, with Ropes & Gray serving as legal counsel. Jefferies and Moelis & Company are advising Ventyx on the transaction, with Wilson, Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati acting as legal counsel.
Source: prnewswire.com
