Lilly(US:LLY) The Motley Fool·2026-02-14 19:25Core Insights - Eli Lilly is actively pursuing strategic acquisitions to enhance its long-term growth potential in the pharmaceutical industry [1][5][8] Company Overview - Eli Lilly's current market capitalization is $983 billion, with a gross margin of 83.04% and a dividend yield of 0.74% [6][7] - The company has established itself as a leader in the GLP-1 drug category, which is effective in lowering blood sugar levels and promoting weight loss [7] Recent Developments - Eli Lilly announced a $2.4 billion acquisition of Orna Therapeutics, which focuses on innovative gene and cell manipulation therapies [8] - Prior to the Orna acquisition, Lilly committed $350 million to collaborate with a Chinese biotech firm for immune disorder and cancer treatments, and also made a billion-dollar deal with a German company for hearing loss gene therapies [9] Industry Context - The pharmaceutical industry is characterized by volatile demand for drugs and challenges related to patent expirations, which can lead to market share loss to generic competitors [2][3] - Companies must continuously innovate and fill their pipelines with new drugs to sustain long-term growth [5]