Eli Lilly Acquires Orna to Develop In Vivo CAR‑T Circular RNA Platform

Lilly Pursues In Vivo CAR-T Platform with Orna Acquisition

Eli Lilly & Co. is deepening its push into genetic medicine by agreeing to acquire Orna Therapeutics, a biotechnology firm developing in vivo engineered immune cells using circular RNA paired with novel lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The companies state the deal creates a “broad platform for long‑term innovation” in in vivo cell engineering, centered on Orna’s lead program ORN‑252, a CD19‑targeting in vivo CAR‑T therapy designed for B‑cell driven autoimmune diseases. Orna characterizes its circular RNA approach as able to deliver more durable therapeutic protein expression compared with current RNA or ex vivo cell therapies.

Lilly executives frame the acquisition as a way to overcome the complexity, cost and logistical limits of ex vivo autologous CAR‑T therapies, which have shown promise but remain difficult to scale. Francisco Ramírez‑Valle, Lilly’s head of immunology research and early clinical development, says in public comments that in vivo approaches could broaden patient access by removing the need for individualized manufacturing. Orna’s CEO Joe Bolen adds that pairing circular RNA with best‑in‑class LNPs may enable therapies that reset the immune system and treat a wider range of autoimmune conditions.

The move positions Lilly to expand its immunology and genetic‑medicine pipeline and to pursue “patient‑centric, scalable” in vivo cell therapies that address manufacturing bottlenecks of ex vivo methods. Companies say further financial and closing details will be provided; public reporting indicates the deal could be worth up to $2.4 billion in cash. The acquisition aims to accelerate early clinical programs and integrate Orna’s platform into Lilly’s broader development and commercialization capabilities.

Regulatory and competitive pressure on GLP‑1 copycats

Separately, the industry is contending with a surge of compounded GLP‑1 products. Novo Nordisk sues telehealth provider Hims & Hers, seeking to stop sale of compounded semaglutide copies of Wegovy and to recover damages, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration signals enforcement action. Competitors including Lilly are intensifying efforts to curb mass compounding, citing patient safety and intellectual property concerns as semaglutide remains covered by patents through 2032.

Federal drug pricing initiative includes Lilly among participants

A newly launched federal prescription platform, TrumpRx.gov, lists discounted pricing for 40 medicines from five manufacturers, including Eli Lilly. The government says the site aims to match most‑favored‑nation pricing and boost transparency, though doctors caution its initial list and manufacturer participation are limited and long‑term impacts on access and pricing remain uncertain.