ARTICLE
10 September 2026

Eli Lilly To Acquire Merida Biosciences

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Eli Lilly announces a definitive agreement to acquire Merida Biosciences for up to $2.875 billion in cash, gaining access to an innovative antibody-engineering platform that selectively targets pathogenic autoantibodies in autoimmune and allergic diseases. The acquisition includes Merida's lead program MER511, currently in Phase 1 development for Graves' disease and thyroid eye disease, along with earlier-stage programs addressing food allergy, asthma, and kidney disease.
United States Food, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences
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On August 31, 2026, Eli Lilly and Merida Biosciences (“Merida’) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Lilly to acquire Merida. Under the terms of the agreement, Eli Lilly will pay up to $2.875 billion in cash, inclusive of an upfront payment and contingent milestone payments, with closing expected in Q4 2026 subject to regulatory approval.

Merida is a biotechnology company that has developed an antibody-engineering platform designed to selectively degrade the specific pathogenic autoantibodies driving autoimmune and allergic diseases, a more targeted approach than conventional broad immunosuppression. Its lead program, MER511, is in Phase 1 development for Graves’ disease and thyroid eye disease, with earlier-stage programs in food allergy, asthma, and kidney disease also in the pipeline.

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