Eli Lilly Signs $1.3 Billion AI-Driven Deal with Superluminal for Obesity Drug Discovery

Lilly signs $1.3 billion deal with Superluminal to discover obesity medicines using AI

Aug 14 (Reuters) - Eli Lilly (LLY.N), opens new tab has signed a deal worth $1.3 billion with privately held Superluminal Medicines to discover and develop small-molecule drugs through AI to treat obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases. Lilly currently dominates the obesity treatment market, which is estimated to be worth $150 billion by the next decade, and is trying to strengthen its foothold in the space through the development of next-generation drugs, acquisitions and partnerships. The deal gives Lilly access to Superluminal's proprietary artificial-intelligence-driven platform to rapidly discover potential drug candidates targeting G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) - a class of proteins that can influence a range of physiological processes including metabolism, cell growth and immune responses - the drug developer said on Thursday. In a similar move, Danish rival Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO), opens new tab struck a $2.2 billion deal with U.S. biotech Septerna in May to develop oral small-molecule medicines targeting GPCRs for obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases. Lilly has been capitalizing on the overwhelming popularity of the GLP-1 class of medicines, which includes its blockbuster drug Zepbound as well as Novo's Wegovy. It is also developing a keenly watched oral GLP-1 drug, orforglipron, which has failed to meet investors' lofty expectations. The drugmaker teamed up with Hong Kong-listed biotech Laekna (2105.HK), opens new tab last year to develop an experimental obesity drug that aims to help patients lose weight while preserving muscle. Lilly will receive exclusive rights to develop and commercialize drug candidates discovered using Superluminal's platform, the drug developer said. As part of the deal, Superluminal is eligible to receive upfront and milestone payments, an equity investment as well as tiered royalties on net sales, the company said. Boston-based startup Superluminal is developing a wholly owned lead candidate targeting a protein called melanocortin 4 receptor to treat certain rare, genetic forms of obesity and is expected to begin human trials next year. The lead candidate is not part of the deal with Lilly. Superluminal is backed by investors including RA Capital Management, Insight Partners and NVentures, NVIDIA's venture capital arm. Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Lilly Signs $1.3 Billion Deal to Discover Obesity Medicines Using AI

Eli Lilly has signed a deal worth $1.3 billion with privately held Superluminal Medicines to discover and develop small-molecule drugs through AI to treat obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases. Lilly currently dominates the obesity treatment market, estimated to be worth $150 billion by the next decade, and is trying to strengthen its foothold in the space through the development of next-generation drugs, acquisitions and partnerships. The deal gives Lilly exclusive rights to develop and commercialize drug candidates discovered using Superluminal's proprietary AI-driven platform targeting G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) - a class of proteins that can influence physiological processes including metabolism, cell growth and immune responses - the drug developer said on Thursday. Drugmakers including Danish rival Novo Nordisk are exploring potential GPCR targets to develop oral small-molecule drugs for obesity. "GPCRs have established themselves as very important targets in the obesity and cardiometabolic landscape, but we're at the very early stages of exploration of the target class," Superluminal CEO Cony D'Cruz told Reuters. Novo struck a $2.2 billion deal with U.S. biotech Septerna in May to develop small-molecule therapies directed at select GPCR targets. Lilly has been capitalizing on the overwhelming popularity of the GLP-1 class of medicines, including its blockbuster drug Zepbound as well as Novo's Wegovy. It is also developing a keenly watched oral GLP-1 drug, orforglipron, which has failed to meet investor expectations. The drugmaker teamed up with Hong Kong-listed biotech Laekna last year to develop an experimental obesity drug that aims to help patients lose weight while preserving muscle. As part of the deal, Superluminal is eligible to receive upfront and milestone payments, an equity investment as well as tiered royalties on net sales, the company said. Boston-based startup Superluminal is developing a wholly owned lead candidate targeting a protein called melanocortin 4 receptor to treat certain rare, genetic forms of obesity and is expected to begin human trials by fourth quarter next year. The lead candidate is not part of the deal with Lilly. Superluminal is backed by investors including RA Capital Management, Insight Partners and NVentures, NVIDIA's venture capital arm. Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai. The preferred-rate deadline for the 2025 Inc. Best in Business Awards is this Friday, August 15, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply now.

Eli Lilly Strikes $1.3 Billion Deal With Superluminal To Develop AI-Driven Obesity Drugs - Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO), Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY)

Eli Lilly and Co LLY has entered into a $1.3 billion deal with Superluminal Medicines to develop small-molecule drugs through artificial intelligence (AI) to treat obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases. Lilly Partners With Superluminal For AI-Driven GPCR Drugs Eli Lilly, under a deal announced Thursday, has secured exclusive rights to develop and commercialize drug candidates identified through Superluminal's AI-powered platform focused on G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), reported Reuters. Check out the current price of LLY stock here. GPCRs are a type of protein involved in numerous physiological functions, such as metabolism, cell growth, and immune regulation. The agreement aligns with Lilly's strategy to bolster its presence in the obesity treatment market, which is expected to reach $150 billion within the next decade. As part of the agreement, Superluminal will receive upfront and milestone payments, an equity stake, and tiered royalties based on net sales. SEE ALSO: Elon Musk Says Everyone Will Want Their Own 'Personal Robot' That Can Mow The Yard Or Babysit -- Priced At $30k He thinks 'Anyone' Could Afford One Bold Moves Amid Fierce Novo Nordisk Competition The obesity treatment market is highly lucrative, and Lilly's deal with Superluminal is part of its broader efforts to maintain its leading position in this space. This deal follows Lilly's recent moves in the obesity drug market, including a price increase for Mounjaro in the UK and expansion in India. The actions highlight intensifying competition with Danish rival Novo Nordisk A/S NVO in the highly profitable obesity drug market. Legal Challenges, Trial Setbacks Amid Obesity Drug Push However, Lilly's obesity drug development has not been without challenges. The company is also facing legal challenges over an alleged conspiracy to restrict a government-mandated drug discount program. Amidst these developments, Lilly also released less-than-stellar data from a Phase 3 trial of its investigational drug orforglipron. The partnership with Superluminal could potentially bolster Lilly's position in the obesity treatment market. According to Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings, Eli Lilly has a growth score of 99.45% and a quality rating of 91.88%. Click here to see how it compares to other leading pharma companies. READ MORE: Weighing The Costs: Obesity Drug Users Make Financial Sacrifices As Coverage Tightens Image via Shutterstock Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. LLYEli Lilly and Co$691.004.62%Stock Score Locked: Edge Members Only Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Unlock RankingsEdge RankingsMomentum13.38Growth99.45Quality91.88Value5.92Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewNVONovo Nordisk AS$51.080.35%Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Lilly signs US$1.3 billion deal with Superluminal to discover obesity medicines using AI

Eli Lilly has signed a deal worth US$1.3 billion with privately held Superluminal Medicines to discover and develop small-molecule drugs through AI to treat obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases. Lilly currently dominates the obesity treatment market, estimated to be worth $150 billion by the next decade, and is trying to strengthen its foothold in the space through the development of next-generation drugs, acquisitions and partnerships. The deal gives Lilly exclusive rights to develop and commercialize drug candidates discovered using Superluminal's proprietary AI-driven platform targeting G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) - a class of proteins that can influence physiological processes including metabolism, cell growth and immune responses - the drug developer said on Thursday. Drugmakers including Danish rival Novo Nordisk are exploring potential GPCR targets to develop oral small-molecule drugs for obesity. "GPCRs have established themselves as very important targets in the obesity and cardiometabolic landscape, but we're at the very early stages of exploration of the target class," Superluminal CEO Cony D'Cruz told Reuters. Novo struck a $2.2 billion deal with U.S. biotech Septerna in May to develop small-molecule therapies directed at select GPCR targets. Lilly has been capitalizing on the overwhelming popularity of the GLP-1 class of medicines, including its blockbuster drug Zepbound as well as Novo's Wegovy. It is also developing a keenly watched oral GLP-1 drug, orforglipron, which has failed to meet investor expectations. The drugmaker teamed up with Hong Kong-listed biotech Laekna last year to develop an experimental obesity drug that aims to help patients lose weight while preserving muscle. As part of the deal, Superluminal is eligible to receive upfront and milestone payments, an equity investment as well as tiered royalties on net sales, the company said. Boston-based startup Superluminal is developing a wholly owned lead candidate targeting a protein called melanocortin 4 receptor to treat certain rare, genetic forms of obesity and is expected to begin human trials by fourth quarter next year. The lead candidate is not part of the deal with Lilly. Superluminal is backed by investors including RA Capital Management, Insight Partners and NVentures, NVIDIA's venture capital arm.