Eli Lilly expands vaccine pipeline with US$3.83B acquisition of three biotech firms

USA—Eli Lilly and Company has strengthened its push into infectious disease prevention after agreeing to acquire three vaccine-focused biotechnology firms in deals worth up to US$3.83 billion.

The acquisitions of Curevo, LimmaTech Biologics, and Vaccine Company mark the drugmaker’s eighth, ninth, and tenth deals of 2026 as it continues to diversify beyond its blockbuster obesity and diabetes franchises.

The largest transaction involves Vaccine Company, which Lilly will acquire for up to US$1.55 billion.

Curevo follows at up to US$1.5 billion, while LimmaTech Biologics carries a potential value of US$780 million.

Each agreement includes upfront cash payments alongside milestone-based payouts tied to clinical and regulatory progress.

Focus on next-generation vaccines

Curevo has drawn attention for its lead shingles vaccine candidate, amezosvatein, which is designed to improve tolerability while maintaining strong protection against shingles.

The Phase II candidate uses a synthetic adjuvant platform to reduce common side effects associated with currently approved vaccines.

According to recently released company data, amezosvatein matched the immune responses seen with existing standard-of-care vaccines while cutting side effects such as fatigue, chills, and injection-site pain by more than half.

Lilly believes a better-tolerated vaccine could increase vaccination uptake among older adults who avoid or discontinue shingles immunisation due to side effects.

The acquisition also reflects growing scientific interest in the long-term health risks associated with shingles infections, including links to stroke and dementia.

Curevo said Lilly’s global development infrastructure would help accelerate the programme into Phase III trials.

Tackling antimicrobial resistance

Meanwhile, Switzerland-based LimmaTech Biologics brings a pipeline focused on bacterial infections that are becoming increasingly difficult to treat because of antimicrobial resistance.

Its lead candidate, LTB-SA7, is currently in Phase I testing for protection against Staphylococcus aureus, a leading cause of surgical site infections.

The company is also developing vaccines targeting Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, pathogens linked to infertility and other long-term complications that disproportionately affect women.

LimmaTech’s platform targets bacterial toxins and superantigens rather than surface antigens, an approach the company believes could generate broader and more durable immune responses.

Expanding viral disease research

Vaccine Company adds another layer to Lilly’s infectious disease strategy through its proprietary in vivo nanoparticle technology, designed to mimic the durable immune responses of virus-like particle vaccines while simplifying manufacturing.

Its most advanced programme is a Phase I-ready vaccine candidate targeting Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a highly contagious virus increasingly associated with neurological diseases and certain cancers.

The company’s broader pipeline includes several additional viral vaccine programmes still in preclinical development.

Lilly’s renewed focus on vaccines comes as soaring demand for its obesity and diabetes medicines continues to fuel strong revenues and support aggressive dealmaking across multiple therapeutic areas.

Earlier this year, the company also acquired sleep-focused biotech Centessa for US$7.8 billion, gene therapy developer Kelonia Therapeutics for US$7 billion, and blood cancer specialist Ajax Therapeutics for US$2.3 billion.