On June 17, 2025,  Eli Lilly and Company and Verve Therapeutics, a Boston-based clinical-stage company developing genetic medicines for cardiovascular disease, announced a definitive agreement for Lilly to acquire Verve. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Verve Therapeutics on IP matters related to the transaction.

Verve Therapeutics is developing gene editing medicines aimed at treating atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) with potentially one-time treatments, including its lead program VERVE-102, which targets the PCSK9 gene linked to cholesterol levels. VERVE-102 is currently in a Phase 1b clinical trial and has received Fast Track designation from the FDA, with potential applications for patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and premature coronary artery disease.

Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will initiate a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Verve Therapeutics for $10.50 per share in cash, an aggregate of approximately $1.0 billion, with the potential for an additional $3.00 per share through a contingent value right, bringing total consideration to up to $13.50 per share. The transaction, expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, is contingent on customary conditions, including the tender of a majority of the outstanding shares of Verve Therapeutics’ common stock.

The Wilson Sonsini team that advised Verve Therapeutics on IP matters related to the transaction include Lou Lieto, Clark Lin, Lowell Segal, Angel Wang, Ying Chen, Brandon Leahy, Shu Boboila, and Weigang Lu.

For more information, please see Lilly's and Verve Therapeutics’ joint news release. Additional coverage can be found on Reuters and The Wall Street Journal.