Eli Lilly has agreed to acquire Verve Therapeutics for up to $1.3 billion, marking a major investment in gene-editing therapies targeting cardiovascular disease. Verve’s lead candidate, VERVE-102, a one-time CRISPR-based treatment aimed at PCSK9, has shown dose-dependent reductions in LDL cholesterol in early trials. Despite previous safety concerns in a related program, Lilly’s purchase aligns with its strategy to expand its cardiometabolic pipeline leveraging gene editing. The acquisition is expected to accelerate development and commercialization of novel, potentially paradigm-shifting treatments for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.