Eli Lilly in Talks to Acquire Kelonia for Over $2B
Catch up on the weekend's top five stories with this list compiled by The Fly: 1) Iranian state media announced that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed. In a state on X, the state media said: "Iran's Central Military HQ: Iran agreed to allow a limited number of ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz according to agreements. #But U.S. did not fulfill their obligations. So, the Strait of Hormuz is now #closed again and passage requires IRAN approval." 2) Eli Lilly (LLY) is in advanced discussions to acquire Kelonia Therapeutics for over $2B in a deal that could come as soon as Monday, Lauren Thomas of The Wall Street Journal reports, citing people familiar with the matter. The deal price could include additional consideration if specific milestones are reached by Kelonia, the sources added. 3) Nexstar (NXST) released a statement after a judge issued a preliminary injunction issued in connection with the company's acquisition of Tegna, which reads: "This transaction closed more than four weeks ago following receipt of all required regulatory approvals from the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. Nexstar Media Group now owns Tegna and has taken steps consistent with the Court order that has been in effect. For nearly thirty years, Nexstar has provided free over-the-air access to all its broadcast stations - local news, weather, and community-focused programming alongside major network programming. This pro-competitive transaction will make local stations stronger and support continued investment in local journalism and fact-based news. We will appeal today's decision and look forward to presenting our case on its merits before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals." 4) AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) addresses today's orbital launch of BlueBird 7 on the New Glenn launch vehicle. During the New Glenn 3 mission, BlueBird 7 was placed into a lower than planned orbit by the upper stage of the launch vehicle. While the satellite separated from the launch vehicle and powered on, the altitude is too low to sustain operations with its on-board thruster technology and will de-orbited. The cost of the satellite is expected to be recovered under the company's insurance policy. 5) Google (GOOGL) is in discussions with Marvell (MRVL) to develop two new chips that will focus on running AI models more efficiently, The Information reports.
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- Significant Sales Growth: Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound GLP-1 drugs saw sales increases of 99% and 175% in 2025, respectively, showcasing the company's strong performance in the rapidly growing weight-loss drug market and further solidifying its market leadership.
- Outstanding Stock Performance: Over the past decade, Eli Lilly's stock has surged more than 1,100%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 230% increase, reflecting strong investor confidence in its future growth, although its current P/E ratio of 39x remains above the industry average.
- Intensifying Competitive Risks: Despite Eli Lilly's leading position in the GLP-1 space, competitors like Novo Nordisk and Pfizer are actively launching new products, which could erode Eli Lilly's market share, especially as patents expire and generics emerge, potentially impacting revenues significantly.
- Strategic Acquisition Moves: To address future competition and risks, Eli Lilly is leveraging the windfall from its GLP-1 success to pursue strategic acquisitions, which may help diversify its product pipeline, but the uncertainty surrounding the success of these new drugs could affect the company's long-term growth potential.

- Acquisition Negotiations: Eli Lilly is in advanced discussions to acquire Kelonia Therapeutics for over $2 billion, with an announcement possible as soon as Monday, which would significantly enhance Lilly's competitive position in the $240 billion global oncology market.
- Innovative Treatment Potential: Kelonia is focused on developing a next-generation CAR-T therapy that aims to simplify the treatment process by eliminating the need for chemotherapy and custom manufacturing steps, potentially reshaping the treatment landscape for multiple myeloma if successful.
- Financial Background: Kelonia was last valued at slightly above $100 million in April 2022 and has raised nearly $60 million to date; the acquisition would provide Lilly with a new revenue stream and further diversify its cancer drug portfolio, particularly in the blood cancer segment.
- Strategic Expansion: This acquisition aligns with Lilly's recent deals, including the $6.3 billion acquisition of Centessa Pharmaceuticals, demonstrating the company's proactive approach in the rapidly growing biopharmaceutical sector, leveraging cash flow from its obesity and diabetes drugs to accelerate M&A activities.
- Acquisition Talks: Eli Lilly is in advanced discussions to acquire Kelonia Therapeutics for over $2 billion, indicating Lilly's intent to expand in the biopharmaceutical sector, potentially enhancing its product portfolio and market competitiveness.
- Market Reaction Anticipation: Although Reuters could not immediately verify the report, the market's heightened interest in this potential deal may influence Eli Lilly's stock price, reflecting investor expectations for future growth.
- Strategic Implications: If successful, this acquisition would allow Eli Lilly to gain access to Kelonia's innovative therapies, further solidifying its leadership position in the biopharmaceutical industry and potentially accelerating its drug development processes.
- Industry Consolidation Trend: The frequent acquisition activities in the biopharmaceutical sector align with industry consolidation trends, suggesting that large pharmaceutical companies are leveraging mergers and acquisitions to enhance their R&D capabilities and market share.
Eli Lilly's Cancer Deal: Eli Lilly has reached a significant agreement in the field of cancer biotechnology, indicating a strategic move to enhance its portfolio in oncology treatments.
Impact on Cancer Research: The deal is expected to advance research and development efforts in cancer therapies, potentially leading to innovative solutions for patients.
Market Implications: This partnership may influence Eli Lilly's market position and competitiveness within the biopharmaceutical industry, particularly in cancer treatment.
Future Prospects: The collaboration could pave the way for future breakthroughs in cancer care, reflecting a growing trend of biopharmaceutical companies investing in specialized therapies.
- Diversified Growth for Google: Google enhances its search capabilities through AI, driving ad sales, and is expected to continue growth in cloud computing and streaming over the next decade, solidifying its market leadership.
- Self-Driving Business Potential: Google's Waymo operates in several U.S. cities with level 4 autonomy, and as self-driving cars gain traction over the next decade, it could significantly boost the company's revenue.
- Eli Lilly's Dominance in Weight Loss: Eli Lilly has made significant breakthroughs in the weight loss market and may accelerate drug development through AI drug discovery, potentially adding billions in revenue if successful.
- Transforming Drug Development Cycles: By shortening drug development times with AI, Eli Lilly could alter the typical pharmaceutical cycle, enhancing its competitiveness and long-term prospects in the market.










