Eli Lilly Seeks $650M Muscle Health Drugs in Juvena Collaboration

Eli Lilly has entered a global licensing and multi-target research collaboration with Juvena Therapeutics, committing over $650 million to discover and develop drug candidates that improve muscle health and body composition. The partnership will utilize Juvena's AI-enabled screening platform, JuvNET, which maps the therapeutic potential of stem cell-secreted proteins to identify novel muscle-targeting therapies. This collaboration aims to address muscle loss issues commonly associated with obesity treatments, such as GLP-1 agonists, by potentially preserving and enhancing muscle mass and function. Juvena will receive upfront payments, equity investments, and milestone payments, while Lilly gains exclusive rights to lead candidates and will manage further development and commercialization. The deal reflects Lilly's strategic focus on expanding its product portfolio in obesity and muscle health, complementing its recent acquisitions and ongoing clinical trials. Both companies highlight the importance of muscle health in improving metabolism, mobility, and long-term disease prevention, positioning this collaboration as a significant advance toward integrated obesity management therapies.