Eli Lilly Acquires Akouos to Develop Gene Therapies for Hearing Loss

Eli Lilly Acquires Adverum Biotechnologies

December 9, 2025

Biotechnology

Eli Lilly and Company agreed to acquire Adverum Biotechnologies in a cash-and-contingent-value-rights tender offer for all outstanding shares. The total consideration is $3.56 per share in cash at closing plus a CVR that could pay up to $8.91 per share upon achievement of specified milestones, with the transaction expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Bayer AG Acquires Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio)

October 26, 2020

Biotechnology

Bayer AG agreed to acquire U.S.-headquartered Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio), adding AskBio's AAV-based gene therapy platform, IP and CDMO manufacturing capabilities to Bayer’s emerging cell and gene therapy unit. Bayer will pay $2.0 billion upfront plus up to $2.0 billion in potential milestone payments; existing minority shareholders TPG Capital and Vida Ventures supported the transaction.

AbbVie to Acquire ImmunoGen for $10.1 Billion

November 30, 2023

Pharmaceuticals

AbbVie entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ImmunoGen, including its flagship ADC therapy ELAHERE (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx), in a deal valued at approximately $10.1 billion. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2024, subject to ImmunoGen shareholder approval, regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals to Acquire Remaining Stake in Akcea Therapeutics

August 31, 2020

Biotechnology

Ionis Pharmaceuticals agreed to acquire the approximately 24% of Akcea Therapeutics it does not already own for $18.15 per share in cash, implying a fully diluted transaction value of about $500 million. The deal will be executed via a tender offer followed by a second-step merger, and Ionis expects to complete the transaction in Q4 2020 to consolidate Akcea's pipeline, commercial products and cash while realizing cost synergies.

Eli Lilly and Company to Acquire Orna Therapeutics in Up to $2.4 Billion Deal

February 9, 2026

Biotechnology

Eli Lilly and Company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Orna Therapeutics in a deal valued at up to $2.4 billion. The acquisition is intended to expand Lilly’s capabilities in genetic medicine and in vivo cell engineering, particularly to advance in vivo CAR-T therapies using Orna’s circular RNA and lipid nanoparticle platform.

Novartis Acquires Vedere Bio

September 30, 2020

Biotechnology

Novartis has acquired Vedere Bio, a Cambridge-based optogenetics AAV gene therapy company, for $150 million upfront plus up to $130 million in potential regulatory and clinical milestones (total consideration of $280 million). The deal includes Vedere Bio's lead preclinical intravitreal AAV programs focused on pan-genotypic vision restoration; earlier-stage assets were spun out into a newly formed independent company, Vedere Bio II.