Eli Lilly Outlays $1.12bn for Hearing Loss Gene Therapy Partnership
- Buyer: Eli Lilly
- Partner: Seamless Therapeutics
- Focus: Hearing Loss
- Total Value: $1.12bn + Royalties
- Tech: Recombinase Platform
Eli Lilly has outlaid $1.12bn for a hearing loss gene therapy partnership. In a move that continues a recent bolstering of its gene therapy pipeline, Eli Lilly has signed a global research collaboration and licensing agreement with gene editing company Seamless Therapeutics.
Lilly and German biotech Seamless Therapeutics will develop recombinase-based treatments for hearing loss. Seamless’ platform can perform large but precise DNA edits along the genome, enabling treatment across a broad range of diseases.
Agreement Details and Financials
The partnership will see the two companies develop and commercialise programmable recombinase-based treatments targeting hearing loss indications. In exchange for using Seamless’ recombinase platform, Lilly will pay the biotech over $1.12bn in an upfront payment and R&D funding. The exact breakdown of milestone payments and additional royalties on any approved drugs was not disclosed.
Seamless Technology: Recombinases
Germany-based Seamless, which launched in 2023, uses programmable recombinases to address genetic diseases. Recombinases are specialised enzymes that catalyse site-specific DNA rearrangements, including excision, insertion, and translocation. These enzymes have been used in scientific research for decades, but only now are they being harnessed for the potential of commercialised therapies.
Following the deal with Lilly, Seamless will design and programme site-specific recombinases directed to correct mutations in certain genes of interest related to hearing loss. Lilly will receive an exclusive license to the programmed recombinases to advance through preclinical and clinical drug development.
— Albert Seymour, CEO of Seamless Therapeutics
Lilly Doubles Down on Gene Therapy Pipeline
The collaboration with Seamless marks the latest gene therapy commitment by Lilly, despite some pharma companies opting to retreat from the sector. Lilly already has one gene therapy candidate for hearing loss in the form of AK-OTOF. In Phase I/II data (NCT05572073) released in 2024, the therapy was shown to restore hearing in one child who had hearing loss from birth.
Recent Lilly Acquisitions and Licensing (2025-2026):
- May 2025: Spent $1.3bn to acquire Rznomics (RNA-based therapies for hearing loss).
- June 2025: Bought gene editing partner Verve Therapeutics for $1.3bn.
- October 2025: Bought Adverum (ophthalmic gene therapy).
- November 2025: Signed a $475m licensing deal with MeiraGTx (ophthalmic gene therapy).
- January 2026: Acquired inflammatory specialist Ventyx for $1.2bn and signed a $1.3bn obesity-focused research deal with Nimbus.
Market Analysis: Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT)
Cell and gene therapy (CGT) venture capital activity is most prominent in the Series B-stage, a report by GlobalData discovered. Regarding CGT acquisitions made by big pharma, Irena Maragkou, senior healthcare researcher at GlobalData, noted that such acquisitions are becoming increasingly modality-driven and focused on platforms. However, big pharma continues to demonstrate willingness to pay a premium for clinically validated assets.
