Lilly(US:LLY) Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2026-02-09 14:45Core Viewpoint - Eli Lilly (LLY.US) has announced a definitive acquisition agreement with Orna Therapeutics to enhance its position in cell therapy and gene medicine, with a potential total payout of up to $2.4 billion to Orna's shareholders [1]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition includes a cash payment to Orna's shareholders, which consists of an upfront payment and additional payments contingent upon achieving specific clinical development milestones [1]. - The primary assets being acquired are Orna's circular RNA technology platform and its in vivo CAR-T pipeline, which are expected to strengthen Eli Lilly's capabilities in innovative therapies [1]. Group 2: Technology and Innovation - Orna Therapeutics specializes in engineering circular RNA combined with novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems, allowing patients' bodies to generate therapeutic cells that target the root causes of diseases [1]. - The technology offers advantages such as prolonged expression of therapeutic proteins, addressing limitations currently faced by RNA and cell therapies [1]. Group 3: Key Projects - Orna's flagship project, ORN-252, is a clinical-stage in vivo CAR-T therapy targeting CD19, primarily aimed at treating B-cell mediated autoimmune diseases, which aligns with Eli Lilly's strategic focus [1].