Eli Lilly and Superluminal Ink $1.3B Pact Targeting GPCRs in Obesity, Cardiometabolic Diseases

Eli Lilly and Superluminal Medicines announced a collaboration valued up to $1.3 billion, targeting development of small-molecule drugs for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases via G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs)124.

The deal involves an upfront payment, milestone payments linked to clinical and regulatory achievements, an equity investment, and tiered royalties on sales for Superluminal235.

Superluminal will use its AI- and machine learning–powered drug discovery platform to identify novel GPCR-targeting compounds; Lilly receives exclusive development and commercialization rights25.

Although most GPCR drug targets in the collaboration are undisclosed, Superluminal's leading program is a selective MC4R agonist for obesity, expected to enter clinical trials in 202615.

Lilly’s move aims to diversify its successful GLP-1-based drug portfolio (Mounjaro, Zepbound) and maintain leadership in the rapidly growing obesity treatment market12.

The partnership leverages Lilly’s development and market expertise with Superluminal’s AI-enabled R&D platform to potentially shorten timelines from discovery to clinic and market145.

Sources:

1. https://www.2minutemedicine.com/2-minute-medicine-pharma-roundup-landmark-lung-approval-billion-dollar-obesity-drug-deal-oncology-safety-halt-and-gsks-china-push-august-14-2025/

2. https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/eli-lilly-seeks-more-gpcr-weight-loss-drugs-in-1-3bn-research-deal/

3. https://www.bioworld.com/articles/723032-superluminal-joins-a-13b-deal-with-series-a-backer-lilly

4. https://www.biospace.com/business/eli-lilly-keeps-obesity-pipeline-fresh-with-1-3b-superluminal-partnership

5. https://www.superluminalrx.com/wp-content/uploads/SUNLillyPR_FINAL-with-logo.pdf