Eli Lilly and Company and Verve Therapeutics, Inc., a Boston-based clinical-stage company developing genetic medicines for cardiovascular disease, announced a definitive agreement for Lilly to acquire Verve.

Verve is developing a pipeline of gene editing medicines designed to address the drivers of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) through treatments that may only need to be given once in a lifetime. Verve’s lead program (VERVE-102) is a potential first-in-class in vivo gene editing medicine targeting PCSK9, a gene linked to cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health. The treatment may be applicable for people who have heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), a subset of ASCVD that affects 1 in 250 people in the general population, as well as certain patients with premature coronary artery disease (CAD). VERVE-102 is being evaluated in a Phase 1b clinical trial study and has been granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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“VERVE-102 has the potential to be the first in vivo gene editing therapy for broad patient populations and could shift the treatment paradigm for cardiovascular disease from chronic care to one-and-done treatment,” said Ruth Gimeno, Lilly group vice president, Diabetes and Metabolic Research and Development. “Lilly is eager to welcome our Verve colleagues to Lilly and continue the development of these promising potential new medicines aimed at improving outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease and addressing the significant unmet medical need in this space.”

“Verve was founded with one mission in mind: transform the treatment of cardiovascular disease from chronic care to a one-dose future,” said Sekar Kathiresan, M.D., co-founder and chief executive officer of Verve Therapeutics. “In just seven years, our team has progressed three in vivo gene editing products, with two currently in the clinic. Now, we will take the next steps in the drug development journey together with an ideal strategic partner in Lilly. Lilly shares our vision, and we believe their global research, clinical, regulatory and commercial capabilities will help to accelerate the development of our medicines. My deepest thanks to the entire Verve team for their expertise, creativity, and grit. We are grateful to the investigators and patients who have contributed to the success of our clinical trials so far. Under Lilly’s stewardship, we are excited to realize the next chapter in cardiovascular care where a single treatment can lead to lifelong reduction of cardiovascular risk factors and make life better for millions of patients living with cardiovascular disease.”