Lilly to acquire Ventyx Biosciences for ~$1.2B to add oral NLRP3 and other inflammatory drugs

Eli Lilly has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ventyx Biosciences for $14.00 per share in cash, valuing the deal at about $1.2 billion.5 1 2

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to Ventyx stockholder approval and customary regulatory clearances; it is not subject to a financing condition.5 3

Lilly is primarily targeting Ventyx’s NLRP3 inhibitor portfolio, including mid‑stage oral drugs VTX3232 (CNS‑penetrant) and VTX2735 (peripherally restricted), aimed at neuroinflammatory, cardiometabolic, cardiovascular diseases and recurrent pericarditis.3 4

Phase 2 data for VTX3232 showed biomarker evidence of NLRP3 inhibition and improvements in Parkinson’s disease motor and non‑motor symptoms, as well as ~80% reduction in high‑sensitivity C‑reactive protein in patients with obesity and cardiovascular risk factors.2 3

Beyond NLRP3, Lilly will gain Ventyx’s oral inflammatory bowel disease programs, including tamuzimod (S1P1R modulator) for ulcerative colitis and VTX958 (allosteric TYK2 inhibitor) for Crohn’s disease.3 1

Lilly’s leadership frames the deal as a way to expand its portfolio in chronic inflammation, supporting focus areas in cardiometabolic health, neurodegeneration and autoimmunity, and complementing its obesity and metabolic franchise (e.g., Zepbound, Mounjaro).3 4 5

The agreed $14 per share price represents a significant premium to Ventyx’s recent trading levels and follows earlier reports that discussions were around “about $1 billion,” later clarified to ~$1.2B in the final joint announcement.1 2 4

Analysts note the acquisition highlights big pharma interest in the NLRP3 inhibitor class, with potential implications for other companies pursuing similar targets in neuroinflammatory and cardiometabolic disease.3