Eli Lilly agreed to acquire Kelonia Therapeutics for up to $7 billion, including $3.25 billion upfront and up to $3.75 billion in milestone payments.123
The deal targets Kelonia's lead asset KLN-1010, a Phase 1 in vivo CAR-T therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma using lentiviral vectors.234
This is Lilly's second in vivo CAR-T acquisition this year, expanding its oncology pipeline with gene delivery technology to simplify CAR-T production.36
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approvals.124
Early Phase 1 data for KLN-1010 showed 100% minimal residual disease-negative responses in the first four patients.3
Sources:
1. https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/lly-kelonia-acquisition-cancer-pipeline-boost/cZBdhyBRIza
2. https://oncodaily.com/techology/kelonia-487928
3. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/lilly-picks-another-vivo-car-t-company-7b-deal-kelonia
4. https://www.genengnews.com/topics/cancer/lilly-to-acquire-kelonia-for-up-to-7b-expanding-cancer-cell-therapy-pipeline/
6. https://www.biospace.com/business/lilly-adds-gene-delivery-technology-to-car-t-in-up-to-7b-kelonia-deal