Core Viewpoint - Eli Lilly announced the acquisition of Verve Therapeutics for up to $1.3 billion, including nearly $1 billion upfront payment, which significantly boosted Verve's stock price by over 80% on the announcement day [1][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Eli Lilly's acquisition of Verve Therapeutics aims to enhance its portfolio in the cardiovascular disease treatment sector, alongside its existing GLP-1 weight loss drug, expected to generate over $30 billion in total sales this year [3]. - Verve Therapeutics is developing a gene-editing therapy, Verve-102, targeting the PCSK9 protein to lower cholesterol levels, potentially transforming chronic cardiovascular disease treatment into a one-time therapy [1][3]. Group 2: Market Potential and Clinical Trials - Verve-102 is currently undergoing a Phase 1b clinical trial and has received Fast Track designation from the FDA, indicating its potential for significant market impact if proven effective [3]. - The gene therapy market for cardiovascular diseases may face skepticism regarding demand, as existing PCSK9-targeting drugs already meet a substantial portion of market needs [4]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies have shown to reduce LDL cholesterol levels by over 50% compared to statins, with several products already available in the market, including a long-acting PCSK9 monoclonal antibody recently launched in China [4][5]. - Oral PCSK9 inhibitors from major pharmaceutical companies like Merck and AstraZeneca are expected to drive sales from approximately $4 billion to $12 billion by 2034, indicating a growing competitive landscape [6].