Eli Lilly to acquire Scorpion Therapeutics mutant-selective PI3Kα inhibitor program

Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will acquire Scorpion and Scorpion shareholders could receive up to $2.5 billion in cash, inclusive of an upfront payment and subsequent payments upon achievement of certain regulatory and sales milestones. Additionally, as part of the transaction, Scorpion will spin out a new entity to hold its employees and non-PI3Kα pipeline assets. The new, independent company would be owned by Scorpion's current shareholders with Lilly holding a minority equity interest. The new company will be led by Dr. Friedman and members of the current Scorpion management team and will focus on discovering and delivering a portfolio of precision medicines to patients, accelerated by Scorpion's discovery capabilities and non-PI3Kα pipeline of medicines.

"Lilly has advanced scientific breakthroughs for some of the most difficult-to-treat cancers," said Adam Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Scorpion. "We believe Lilly's global capabilities and strategic commitment to patients with breast cancer will accelerate our goal of developing STX-478 to improve outcomes for the many patients with solid tumors driven by PI3Kα mutations. This acquisition is a testament to the expertise of the Scorpion team and our drug discovery capabilities, which will become the foundation of our new company."

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, Citi is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Ropes & Gray LLP is acting as legal counsel. For Scorpion, Centerview Partners LLC is acting as lead financial advisor with additional financial advisory from Morgan Stanley, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as legal counsel.