Nisha Pandey

Eli Lilly Moves Beyond GLP-1 Drugs, To Spend $2.88 Billion On Autoimmune Drug Development

<span>Eli Lilly</span> has made its latest move to look beyond the blockbuster GLP-1 market by agreeing to acquire biotech company <span>Merida Biosciences</span> for up to $2.875 billion in cash.

The deal will give <span>Lilly</span> access to <span>Merida</span>'s experimental treatments for autoimmune and allergic diseases, including a potential drug for Graves' disease and <span>thyroid eye disease</span>. The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions. 

The acquisition is another sign that Lilly is trying to diversify its pipeline beyond the obesity and diabetes medicines that have driven its recent growth. Lilly's spending on similar deals in 2026 that signals the company is looking to to expand beyond its successful hold on GLP-1 markets. 

<h2>From Weight Loss Medications To <span rel="noindex">Autoimmune Disease</span> Drugs</h2>

Merida's lead programme, MER511, is currently in Phase 1 development for Graves' disease and thyroid eye disease (TED). The experimental treatment uses Merida's antibody-engineering platform to selectively remove pathogenic autoantibodies, the antibodies responsible for driving certain autoimmune diseases. 

The idea is different from conventional immune-suppressing medicines, which dampen immune activity broadly. Initial Phase 1 data showed that MER511 substantially reduced thyroid-stimulating antibodies associated with Graves' disease and TED, while showing a favourable initial safety profile. 

Francisco Ramírez-Valle, <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-fda-approves-eli-lillys-mounjaro-to-reduce-cardiovascular-risk-in-diabetics-article-156004401" data-type="tilCustomLink">Lilly's</a> senior vice president of immunology research and early clinical development, said, “We're building our pipeline around therapies that meaningfully change the course of disease, not just its downstream effects.” 

He added that Merida's lead programme is designed to selectively and directly target the antibodies driving Graves' disease and thyroid eye disease.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/uk-approves-eli-lillys-foundayo-is-the-glp-1-pill-better-than-wegovy-mounjaro-article-155531919" data-type="tilCustomLink">Eli Lilly’s Foundayo Launched In UK: Is the GLP-1 Pill Better Than Wegovy, Mounjaro?</a> 

<h2>Different Drug Approach To Autoimmune Disease </h2>

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/bryan-johnson-reveals-meibomian-gland-dysfunction-what-to-know-about-this-dry-eye-condition-article-155773839" data-type="tilCustomLink">Autoimmune diseases</a> occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. In Graves' disease, thyroid-stimulating antibodies activate the thyroid, causing it to produce excessive thyroid hormones. 

In thyroid eye disease, inflammation can cause eye bulging, pain, double vision and, in severe cases, vision impairment. 

Lilly's interest is specifically in Merida's approach is its attempt to target the disease-causing antibodies themselves, rather than suppressing the immune system more broadly.

Merida CEO Adam Townsend said, “Merida was founded to fundamentally change how autoimmune and allergic diseases are treated, by targeting the antibodies driving them directly, rather than suppressing the immune system broadly.” 

That could potentially offer a more precise way of treating diseases in which specific autoantibodies are driving the damage.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/wegovy-is-the-go-to-choice-weightloss-drug-choice-for-most-us-teens-article-151800461" data-type="tilCustomLink">Wegovy Is The Go-To Weightloss Drug Choice For Most US Teens</a>

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The acquisition isn't only about <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/greys-anatomy-star-opens-up-about-hashimotos-hypothyroidism-know-how-this-autoimmune-disorder-can-impact-body-and-mind-article-152433582" data-type="tilCustomLink">Graves' disease</a>. Merida's pipeline includes MER769, an experimental programme being developed for food allergy, asthma, chronic spontaneous urticaria and other allergic diseases. 

The company also has earlier-stage programmes targeting kidney diseases and other conditions mediated by immunity. 

This gives Lilly a potential base across a much broader range of immune-mediated diseases. The company that became synonymous with Mounjaro and Zepbound is trying to build a pharmaceutical portfolio that does not cash in entirely on the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/eli-lilly-roches-alzheimers-blood-test-gets-fda-clearance-how-does-it-work-article-155981553" data-type="tilCustomLink">GLP-1 boom</a>.

MER511 is still only in Phase 1, meaning its safety and preliminary biological activity are being evaluated in early clinical testing. The promising initial data do not yet establish whether the drug will ultimately work in larger patient populations or receive regulatory approval. 

The $2.88-billion deal is therefore not Lilly buying an already-proven autoimmune medicine. It is buying a platform and the potential for an entirely new class of treatments.

As Townsend put it, “Joining Lilly gives our science the resources and commitment to realize its potential for patients with immune-mediated conditions.” 

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Eli Lilly Moves Beyond GLP-1 Drugs, To Spend 2.88 Billion On Autoimmune Drug Development

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Eli Lilly has made its latest move to look beyond the blockbuster GLP-1 market by agreeing to acquire biotech company Merida Biosciences for up to $2.875 billion in cash.The deal will give Lilly access to Merida's experimental treatments for autoimmune and allergic diseases, including a potential drug for Graves' disease and thyroid eye disease. The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions. The acquisition is another sign that Lilly is trying to diversify its pipeline beyond the obesity and diabetes medicines that have driven its recent growth. Lilly's spending on similar deals in 2026 that signals the company is looking to to expand beyond its successful hold on GLP-1 markets. From Weight Loss Medications To Autoimmune Disease DrugsMerida's lead programme, MER511, is currently in Phase 1 development for Graves' disease and thyroid eye disease (TED). The experimental treatment uses Merida's antibody-engineering platform to selectively remove pathogenic autoantibodies, the antibodies responsible for driving certain autoimmune diseases. The idea is different from conventional immune-suppressing medicines, which dampen immune activity broadly. Initial Phase 1 data showed that MER511 substantially reduced thyroid-stimulating antibodies associated with Graves' disease and TED, while showing a favourable initial safety profile. Francisco Ramírez-Valle, Lilly's senior vice president of immunology research and early clinical development, said, “We're building our pipeline around therapies that meaningfully change the course of disease, not just its downstream effects.” He added that Merida's lead programme is designed to selectively and directly target the antibodies driving Graves' disease and thyroid eye disease.Also read: Eli Lilly’s Foundayo Launched In UK: Is the GLP-1 Pill Better Than Wegovy, Mounjaro? Different Drug Approach To Autoimmune Disease Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. In Graves' disease, thyroid-stimulating antibodies activate the thyroid, causing it to produce excessive thyroid hormones. In thyroid eye disease, inflammation can cause eye bulging, pain, double vision and, in severe cases, vision impairment. Lilly's interest is specifically in Merida's approach is its attempt to target the disease-causing antibodies themselves, rather than suppressing the immune system more broadly.Merida CEO Adam Townsend said, “Merida was founded to fundamentally change how autoimmune and allergic diseases are treated, by targeting the antibodies driving them directly, rather than suppressing the immune system broadly.” That could potentially offer a more precise way of treating diseases in which specific autoantibodies are driving the damage.Also read: Wegovy Is The Go-To Weightloss Drug Choice For Most US TeensLilly's Expanding Pipeline    The acquisition isn't only about Graves' disease. Merida's pipeline includes MER769, an experimental programme being developed for food allergy, asthma, chronic spontaneous urticaria and other allergic diseases. The company also has earlier-stage programmes targeting kidney diseases and other conditions mediated by immunity. This gives Lilly a potential base across a much broader range of immune-mediated diseases. The company that became synonymous with Mounjaro and Zepbound is trying to build a pharmaceutical portfolio that does not cash in entirely on the GLP-1 boom.MER511 is still only in Phase 1, meaning its safety and preliminary biological activity are being evaluated in early clinical testing. The promising initial data do not yet establish whether the drug will ultimately work in larger patient populations or receive regulatory approval. The $2.88-billion deal is therefore not Lilly buying an already-proven autoimmune medicine. It is buying a platform and the potential for an entirely new class of treatments.As Townsend put it, “Joining Lilly gives our science the resources and commitment to realize its potential for patients with immune-mediated conditions.” 

eli lilly moves beyond glp-1 drugs, to spend $2.88 billion on autoimmune drug development

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