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Lilly to expand its pain pipeline with acquisition of SiteOne Therapeutics

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Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) has announced a definitive agreement to acquire SiteOne Therapeutics, a private biotech company specializing in sodium channel inhibitors for pain treatment. The deal, valued at up to $1.0 billion in cash, includes upfront payment and milestone-based payments. The key asset is STC-004, a Phase 2-ready Nav1.8 inhibitor being developed as a potential next-generation, non-opioid treatment for chronic pain. This acquisition aligns with Lilly's strategy to advance addiction-free pain therapies and address the growing global burden of chronic pain. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and will be reflected in Lilly's financial guidance upon completion.
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Positive

  • Acquisition adds STC-004, a Phase 2-ready non-opioid pain treatment to Lilly's pipeline
  • Deal structure includes up to $1.0 billion in milestone-based payments, reducing upfront financial risk
  • Expands Lilly's presence in the growing pain management market
  • Acquisition includes SiteOne's broader platform technology for treating neuronal hyperexcitability disorders

Negative

  • Significant financial commitment of up to $1.0 billion for an early-stage (Phase 2) asset
  • Success of STC-004 not guaranteed as it's still in development phase
  • Integration risks associated with acquiring and incorporating new technology platform

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Transaction will augment Lilly's efforts to advance non-opioid medicines for pain management

INDIANAPOLIS, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and SiteOne Therapeutics, Inc. ("SiteOne"), a private biotechnology company developing small molecule inhibitors of sodium channels to treat pain and other neuronal hyperexcitability disorders, today announced a definitive agreement for Lilly to acquire SiteOne.

The transaction includes STC-004, a Phase 2 ready Nav1.8 inhibitor being studied for the treatment of pain. STC-004 may represent a next-generation, non-opioid treatment for patients suffering from chronic pain.

"The global burden of chronic pain continues to increase, and an effective non-opioid treatment remains elusive," said Mark Mintun, Lilly group vice president Neuroscience Research and Development. "Lilly is eager to continue the development of STC-004 with the outstanding SiteOne team as part of our efforts to advance novel, addiction-free pain therapies. Innovation in pain management is critical to address the unmet needs of millions of patients around the world."  

Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will acquire SiteOne and SiteOne shareholders could receive up to $1.0 billion in cash, inclusive of an upfront payment and subsequent payments upon achievement of certain regulatory and commercial milestones.

"At SiteOne, we've spent more than a decade advancing a vision to deliver safer, more effective, non-opioid therapies for patients suffering from pain and other sensory hyperexcitability disorders," said John Mulcahy, Ph.D., chief executive officer and cofounder of SiteOne Therapeutics. "Lilly shares our deep commitment to scientific rigor, innovation, and patient-centered drug development. We believe their global capabilities and neuroscience leadership will accelerate our efforts to realize the full potential of STC-004 and our broader platform. This acquisition reflects the expertise and dedication of the SiteOne team and marks an exciting new chapter in our mission to transform pain treatment."

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. Lilly will determine the accounting treatment of this transaction in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) upon closing. This transaction will thereafter be reflected in Lilly's financial results and financial guidance.

For Lilly, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Jones Day is acting as legal counsel. For SiteOne, Centerview Partners LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Cooley LLP are acting as legal counsel.

About SiteOne Therapeutics
SiteOne Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing a novel class of highly selective small molecule inhibitors targeting Nav1.7, Nav1.8, and other ion channels to treat pain, cough and other conditions involving hyperexcitability of the peripheral nervous system. Since its inception, SiteOne has been dedicated to the development of safe and effective pain therapeutics without the significant addiction potential and side effects of opioids. The company is also advancing additional novel drug candidates that exhibit precise selectivity for individual ion channel subtypes to treat other sensory hyperexcitability disorders such as chronic cough and chronic ocular surface pain. For more information, visit www.siteonetherapeutics.com.

About Lilly
Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/news, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. F-LLY

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) about the benefits of Lilly's acquisition of SiteOne and SiteOne's product candidates for treating pain, and reflects Lilly's current beliefs and expectations. However, as with any such undertaking, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in implementing the acquisition and in the process of drug research, development, and commercialization. Among other things, there can be no guarantee that Lilly will realize the expected benefits of the acquisition, that the acquisition will achieve the results discussed in this release or that the acquisition will yield commercially successful products. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from Lilly's expectations, see Lilly's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release.

Refer to:

Ashley Hennessey; gentry_ashley_jo@lilly.com; 317-416-4363 (Media)



Michael Czapar; czapar_michael_c@lilly.com; 317-617-0983 (Investors)



Jessica Yingling; jessica@litldog.com; 858-344-8091 (SiteOne)


 

Eli Lilly and Company logo. (PRNewsFoto, Eli Lilly and Company)

 

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company

FAQ

What is the value of Lilly's acquisition of SiteOne Therapeutics?

Lilly will acquire SiteOne Therapeutics for up to $1.0 billion in cash, which includes an upfront payment and subsequent payments tied to regulatory and commercial milestones.

What is STC-004 and how will it benefit Lilly's pipeline?

STC-004 is a Phase 2-ready Nav1.8 inhibitor being developed as a non-opioid treatment for chronic pain. It will expand Lilly's pain management pipeline with a potential next-generation, addiction-free therapy.

Why is Lilly (LLY) acquiring SiteOne Therapeutics?

Lilly is acquiring SiteOne to expand its pain management pipeline and advance non-opioid medicines. The acquisition adds STC-004 and SiteOne's platform for developing sodium channel inhibitors for pain treatment.

When will the Lilly-SiteOne acquisition close?

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions. The specific closing date was not disclosed in the press release.

How will the SiteOne acquisition impact Lilly's financials?

The transaction's accounting treatment will be determined upon closing and will be reflected in Lilly's financial results and guidance thereafter.