Eli Lilly signs $1.3B AI drug discovery deal to, er, expand obesity dominance

Eli Lilly has signed a $1.3 billion deal with privately held Superluminal Medicines to discover and develop AI-powered small-molecule drugs for obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases. The partnership gives Lilly access to Superluminal’s proprietary AI platform for drug discovery, strengthening the pharmaceutical giant’s position in the obesity treatment market estimated to reach $150 billion by the next decade.

What you should know: The deal centers on Superluminal’s AI-driven platform that targets G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a class of proteins influencing metabolism, cell growth, and immune responses.

• Lilly will receive exclusive rights to develop and commercialize drug candidates discovered using Superluminal’s platform.
• Superluminal is eligible for upfront and milestone payments, an equity investment, and tiered royalties on net sales.
• The Boston-based startup’s own lead candidate targeting melanocortin 4 receptor for rare genetic forms of obesity is not included in the Lilly deal.

Competitive landscape: Lilly’s move follows similar AI-powered drug discovery partnerships in the obesity space.

• Danish rival Novo Nordisk struck a $2.2 billion deal with U.S. biotech Septerna in May to develop oral small-molecule medicines targeting GPCRs for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases.
• Both companies are racing to develop next-generation treatments beyond the current GLP-1 class of medicines.

The big picture: Lilly currently dominates the obesity treatment market through blockbuster drugs like Zepbound, part of the popular GLP-1 class that also includes Novo’s Wegovy.

• The company is strengthening its position through acquisitions, partnerships, and development of next-generation drugs.
• Lilly is also developing an oral GLP-1 drug called orforglipron, which has failed to meet investors’ expectations.
• Last year, the company partnered with Hong Kong-listed biotech Laekna to develop an experimental obesity drug aimed at helping patients lose weight while preserving muscle.

Who’s backing Superluminal: The startup is supported by notable investors including RA Capital Management, Insight Partners, and NVentures, NVIDIA’s venture capital arm.

• Superluminal expects to begin human trials for its wholly owned lead candidate next year.