Verve Therapeutics (VERV) Stock: Shares Jump 77% on $1.3 Billion Lilly Investment

TLDR

Table of Contents

Eli Lilly acquired Verve Therapeutics for $1.3 billion, paying $10.50 per share
Verve stock jumped 77% on the buyout news while Lilly shares dropped 1.2%
Deal includes $1 billion upfront plus $300 million in milestone payments
Verve develops one-time gene treatments for cardiovascular disease and cholesterol
Transaction expected to close in third quarter of 2025

Eli Lilly struck a deal to acquire gene-editing startup Verve Therapeutics for up to $1.3 billion on Tuesday. The pharmaceutical giant will pay $10.50 per share for the Boston-based company.

We announced today that Verve has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Eli Lilly and Company. Lilly shares our determination and dedication to transform the treatment paradigm for the millions of patients worldwide living with cardiovascular disease, and we… pic.twitter.com/tW9wD3iR4y
— Verve Therapeutics (@VerveTx) June 17, 2025

Verve stock surged 77% to $11.07 in premarket trading following the announcement. Lilly shares moved in the opposite direction, falling 1.2% to $798.00.

The acquisition price represents a 67.5% premium over Verve’s previous closing price. Lilly will pay approximately $1 billion upfront for all outstanding shares.

An additional $300 million will be paid if Verve hits certain clinical milestones. This contingent payment structure ties future payouts to the company’s research progress.

Verve focuses on developing genetic medicines for cardiovascular disease. The company’s main target is treating high cholesterol levels through gene editing.

The startup works on “in vivo” gene medicine that targets the PCSK9 gene. This gene plays a key role in regulating cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health.

Revolutionary Treatment Approach

Verve’s gene-editing therapy would only need to be administered once in a patient’s lifetime. This represents a major shift from traditional cholesterol medications that require daily doses.

The company also targets the ANGPTL3 and LPA genes responsible for blood cholesterol regulation. These genetic approaches could replace or complement existing cholesterol treatments.

Lilly and Verve already work together on developing gene-editing therapies. Their partnership focuses on reducing high cholesterol in people with heart disease.

The companies plan to use these treatments in combination with other drugs. This multi-drug approach could provide more comprehensive cardiovascular care.

BMO Capital Markets analyst Kostas Biliouris called the acquisition logical given the companies’ existing relationship. He pointed to recent positive data from Verve’s clinical trials.

Strategic Gene-Editing Push

The deal fits Lilly’s broader strategy of expanding beyond diabetes and weight-loss drugs. The company has signed multiple gene-editing partnerships over the past two years.

Biliouris suggested the acquisition could boost investor confidence in the gene-editing sector. He noted that pharmaceutical companies historically preferred partnerships over outright acquisitions.

The analyst believes the deal signals that gene editing has become commercially viable. This could encourage more pharmaceutical companies to pursue similar acquisitions.

Lilly’s purchase represents one of the larger recent investments in gene-editing technology. The $1.3 billion price tag reflects growing industry confidence in genetic medicine.

The transaction is structured to close in the third quarter of 2025. Both companies must still complete standard regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

Verve shareholders will receive $10.50 per share once the deal closes. The milestone payments will depend on the company’s ability to advance its therapies through clinical trials.

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