Eli Lilly

Ascidian will lead target discovery and selected preclinical activities, while Lilly will oversee additional preclinical development, clinical research, manufacturing, regulatory activities, and global commercialization.

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 additional funding will enhance two key facilities within the Lebanon complex, known collectively as the LEAP Research and Innovation District.

The collaboration focuses on multiple research programmes designed to develop and commercialise site-specific recombinases for diseases characterised by severe unmet medical needs.

The acquisition gives Lilly access to Ajax’s experimental therapies for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), a group of rare blood cancers in which the bone marrow produces excessive blood cells.

The agreement also includes potential clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments that could raise the total value to USD7 billion,

CrossBridge Bio plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for CBB-120, positioning the candidate for clinical development.

When combined with a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity, Foundayo helps patients shed excess weight and maintain their progress.

Beyond the initial payment, Centessa shareholders are set to receive an extra USD9 per share in contingent value rights (CVR), which could increase the total deal value by USD1.5 billion.

This latest commitment builds on a previous 7 billion yen (USD44 million) investment between 2022 and 2025, which funded automated device-sorting machines, enhancements to the quality testing lab, a new factory building, and an additional packaging line.