Eli Lilly and Ascidian Therapeutics launched an RNA exon editing research collaboration targeting inherited kidney diseases that could be worth up to $1.9 billion. The pact funds discovery and development for undisclosed monogenic kidney disease targets, with options to expand to additional programs. Under the agreement, Lilly provides potentially milestone-heavy funding tied to research, clinical development, and commercialization. Ascidian’s approach is based on RNA exon editors designed to use endogenous cellular machinery via trans-splicing, with the aim of correcting disease-causing exon instructions without permanently changing DNA. The companies framed kidney disease as especially tractable for exon replacement, with Ascidian also pointing to other early human testing experience in areas such as Stargardt disease. In collaboration discussions, Ascidian leadership emphasized using differentiated delivery strategies and clinically precedented components. The deal extends Lilly’s genetic medicines footprint and further validates interest in RNA editing technologies positioned between conventional gene therapy and CRISPR-style genome editing.