Eli Lilly Acquires Ajax Therapeutics for $2.3 Billion
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 27 2026
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Acquisition Details: Eli Lilly announced a deal to acquire Ajax Therapeutics and its lead asset AJ1-11095, a once-daily oral JAK2 inhibitor for myelofibrosis, for up to $2.3 billion, including upfront and milestone-based payments.
- Strategic Investment Background: As a founding strategic investor in Ajax, Lilly has long believed in its approach and is excited about AJ1-11095's potential to deliver superior efficacy and tolerability, allowing patients to remain on therapy longer.
- Market Reaction: Eli Lilly's stock traded at $884.65, up 0.05% in pre-market hours on the NYSE, indicating a positive market response to the acquisition, reflecting investor optimism about the new drug's potential.
- Future Outlook: This acquisition not only strengthens Lilly's oncology portfolio but also has the potential to enhance its market share in treating myelofibrosis patients through the clinical success of AJ1-11095, further solidifying its industry leadership.
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Analyst Views on LLY
Wall Street analysts forecast LLY stock price to rise
20 Analyst Rating
18 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 1105.000
Low
950.00
Averages
1192
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1500
Current: 1105.000
Low
950.00
Averages
1192
High
1500
About LLY
Eli Lilly and Company is a medicine company, which discovers, develops, manufactures, and market products in a single business segment called human pharmaceutical products. The Company manufacture and distribute its products through facilities in the United States, including Puerto Rico, and in Europe and Asia. The Company’s products are sold in approximately 90 countries. Its Cardiometabolic Health products Basaglar; Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, and others; Humulin, Humulin 70/30, and others; Jardiance; Mounjaro; Trulicity; Zepbound, and others. Its oncology products include Cyramza, Erbitux, Tyvyt, Verzenio, Retevmo, Jaypirca, and others. Its immunology products include Ebglyss, Olumiant, Omvoh, and Taltz. Its neuroscience products include Emgality and Kisunla. Its LillyDirect, a direct-to-patient digital health care platform, provides delivery of select Lilly medicines dispensed by third-party pharmacies to patients.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Successful Clinical Trials: Recently, Lilly reported positive phase 3 trial data for its candidate retatrutide, which, if successful, will complement its existing oral and injectable drugs to create a comprehensive weight loss portfolio catering to patients with varying obesity levels.
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