JPM26: Eli Lilly reportedly eyes €15bn takeover of Abivax

Core Viewpoint - Eli Lilly is reportedly pursuing a potential acquisition of French biotech company Abivax for approximately €15 billion ($17.5 billion), which has led to a significant increase in Abivax's share price ahead of the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference 2026 [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Eli Lilly is said to be working on a deal valued at €15 billion ($17.5 billion) for Abivax, a company focused on developing anti-inflammatory drugs [1]. - Abivax's share price surged by 17.5% to €120 at market open on January 12, compared to €99 at market close on January 9 [2]. - Abivax has a market capitalization of €8.4 billion [2]. Group 2: Product Information - Abivax's leading product, obefazimod, is an orally administered small molecule that enhances the anti-inflammatory microRNA, miR-124, in immune cells [3]. - Obefazimod has shown positive Phase III results as a monotherapy for patients with moderate to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) and is also in Phase II clinical development for Crohn's disease [3]. Group 3: Market Potential - Abivax has indicated that obefazimod is "well positioned to become a future market leader in the inflammatory bowel disease space" [4]. - GlobalData forecasts that obefazimod could generate global sales of $1.8 billion by 2031 [4]. Group 4: Industry Context - The potential acquisition of Abivax coincides with the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference 2026, which is known for dealmaking activity in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors [5]. - The healthcare M&A landscape for 2026 appears strong, with other companies like Revolution Medicines also being targeted for acquisition, with MSD reportedly in talks for a deal worth between $28 billion and $32 billion [5].