The Investor
27 Apr 2026, 19:07
Eli Lilly and Company has agreed to acquire Ajax Therapeutics in a deal worth up to $2.3 billion, aiming to strengthen its portfolio in blood cancer treatments.
The acquisition centers on Ajax’s lead drug candidate, AJ1-11095, a first-in-class Type II JAK2 inhibitor currently in Phase 1 trials for myelofibrosis patients previously treated with existing therapies. Early-stage data for the drug are expected later in 2026, with dose selection also anticipated this year.
AJ1-11095 targets JAK2 through a different binding mechanism compared to currently approved Type I inhibitors, potentially offering deeper and more durable disease control, particularly for patients who develop resistance or lose response to existing treatments.
The transaction expands Lilly’s oncology capabilities, particularly in myeloproliferative neoplasms such as myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera, where treatment durability remains a key unmet need.
The deal includes an upfront payment and milestone-based payments tied to clinical and regulatory progress. Closing remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions.
Source: PRNewswire
The acquisition centers on Ajax’s lead drug candidate, AJ1-11095, a first-in-class Type II JAK2 inhibitor currently in Phase 1 trials for myelofibrosis patients previously treated with existing therapies. Early-stage data for the drug are expected later in 2026, with dose selection also anticipated this year.
AJ1-11095 targets JAK2 through a different binding mechanism compared to currently approved Type I inhibitors, potentially offering deeper and more durable disease control, particularly for patients who develop resistance or lose response to existing treatments.
The transaction expands Lilly’s oncology capabilities, particularly in myeloproliferative neoplasms such as myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera, where treatment durability remains a key unmet need.
The deal includes an upfront payment and milestone-based payments tied to clinical and regulatory progress. Closing remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions.
Source: PRNewswire