Lilly inks $1.2 billion RNAi partnership with SanegeneBio

Global pharmaceutical leader Eli Lilly and Company has entered into a major research and licensing collaboration with clinical-stage biotech SanegeneBio. The deal is focused on advancing RNA interference (RNAi) drug candidates targeting metabolic disorders by leveraging SanegeneBio’s proprietary Ligand and Enhancer Assisted Delivery (LEAD™) platform, which is designed to enable tissue-specific silencing of disease genes.

Under the agreement, SanegeneBio will discover and optimise LEAD-based RNAi molecules across undisclosed metabolic disease targets, while Lilly will take responsibility for IND-enabling studies, clinical development and worldwide commercialization. The agreement includes an upfront payment and equity investment, and stretches to potential milestone payments of up to US$1.2 billion, in addition to tiered royalties.

The collaboration places particular emphasis on subcutaneous dosing that may be required as little as twice a year, an advance that could improve patient adherence and reduce treatment burden. SanegeneBio’s pipeline already encompasses a number of obesity, cardiometabolic and autoimmune programmes, supporting the company’s focus on larger patient populations and common chronic diseases rather than ultra-rare indications. With this deal Lilly continues to deepen its commitment to genetic medicines, especially in metabolic and obesity space, complementing its broader strategy of expanding beyond traditional small-molecule and biologic therapies.