Eli Lilly Partners with Gene-Editing Startup Seamless Therapeutics

The pharmaceutical giant is exploring new paths beyond its blockbuster GLP-1 drugs.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Eli Lilly, the leading maker of GLP-1 drugs, is partnering with gene-editing startup Seamless Therapeutics to explore new treatment opportunities. This comes as Lilly looks to address the looming patent cliff for its GLP-1 drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound, which accounted for 56% of the company's sales in 2025. Lilly is also acquiring Ventyx Biosciences, which is developing oral treatments for inflammation.

Why it matters

Lilly's GLP-1 drugs have seen tremendous growth, but the company knows this success won't last forever due to patent expirations. By investing in new technologies like gene editing and inflammation treatments, Lilly is working to diversify its pipeline and find the next big opportunity beyond its current blockbusters.

The details

Lilly's partnership with Seamless Therapeutics will leverage the startup's novel gene-editing technology to potentially treat hearing loss. This is just one of Lilly's recent moves, as the company has also agreed to acquire Ventyx Biosciences, which is developing oral treatments for inflammation. These investments are part of Lilly's broader strategy to address the patent cliff looming for its GLP-1 drugs and find the next generation of blockbuster products.

  • Mounjaro sales rose 99% in 2025.
  • Zepbound sales rose 175% in 2025.
  • Lilly agreed to acquire Ventyx Biosciences last month.

The players

Eli Lilly

A leading pharmaceutical company and the maker of the blockbuster GLP-1 drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound.

Seamless Therapeutics

A privately held German company that uses novel gene-editing technology to treat hearing loss.

Ventyx Biosciences

A biopharmaceutical company developing oral treatments for inflammation.

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The takeaway

Eli Lilly is proactively addressing the long-term challenges posed by its reliance on its blockbuster GLP-1 drugs by investing in new technologies and treatment areas. This diversification strategy aims to position the company for continued success beyond its current product portfolio.