Eli Lilly to acquire Merida Biosciences for up to $2.875 billion

Eli Lilly and Company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Merida Biosciences for up to $2.875 billion in cash, including an upfront payment and contingent milestone payments. Merida is developing biologics designed to selectively degrade disease-causing autoantibodies. Its approach aims to target the underlying cause of immune-mediated diseases rather than broadly suppressing the immune system. Merida’s lead programme, MER511, is in Phase 1 development for Graves’ disease and thyroid eye disease (TED). The drug is designed to target thyroid-stimulating antibodies that drive these conditions. Initial Phase 1 data showed that MER511 achieved robust reductions in pathogenic thyroid-stimulating antibodies, with an initial safety profile described by the company as favourable. Merida also has MER769, a preclinical programme targeting diseases driven by IgE, including food allergy, asthma and chronic spontaneous urticaria. The company has additional early-stage programmes for kidney diseases, including membranous nephropathy, and other immune-mediated conditions. Lilly said Merida’s technology could potentially be applied across a wider range of antibody-driven diseases. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026.   The post Eli Lilly to acquire Merida Biosciences for up to $2.875 billion appeared first on Express Pharma.