Eli Lilly to Buy Ajax Therapeutics for Up to $2.3 Billion

Published: 2026-04-27 07:29:34 ET LLY

Published on 04/27/2026 at 07:29 am EDT

By Colin Kellaher

Eli Lilly continued its recent buying spree, agreeing to pay up to $2.3 billion for Ajax Therapeutics in a deal that bolsters the drugmaker's blood-cancer portfolio.

Eli Lilly on Monday said Ajax is developing next-generation Janus kinase, or JAK, inhibitors for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms, a group of rare, potentially life-threatening blood cancers that occur when the bone marrow makes too many blood cells.

Ajax's lead asset, AJ1-11095, is an investigational, once-daily first-in-class Type II JAK2 inhibitor currently in a Phase 1 study in patients with myelofibrosis who have previously been treated with a Type I JAK2 inhibitor, Eli Lilly said.

The Indianapolis company said the $2.3 billion purchase price includes an undisclosed upfront payment and subsequent payments based on the achievement of certain clinical and regulatory milestones.

Write to Colin Kellaher at [email protected]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

04-27-26 0728ET