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Eli Lilly acquires Orna Therapeutics for up to $2.4 billion to advance in vivo CAR-T cell therapies
Eli Lilly agreed to acquire Orna Therapeutics in a deal valued at up to $2.4 billion, including an upfront payment and milestone payments. Orna's circular RNA platform enables in vivo CAR-T cell engineering without removing cells from patients, a simpler and potentially more durable approach than conventional CAR-T therapies. ORN-252, the lead program targeting CD19+ B cell-driven autoimmune diseases, is clinical trial-ready.
- Deal includes upfront cash plus milestones; announced February 9, 2026.
- Orna's circular RNA + LNP platform allows patient cells to generate CAR-T receptors in the body.
- ORN-252 targets B cell-driven autoimmune diseases with potential for broader in vivo CAR-T applications.
- Circular RNA offers advantages over linear RNA: stability, easier manufacturing, longer protein expression.