Eli Lilly's Gene-Editing Therapy Reduces Cholesterol by 62% in Early Clinical Trial
Eli Lilly reported on May 25, 2026 that VERVE-102, a gene-editing therapy acquired in its $1 billion buyout of Verve Therapeutics in 2025, reduced LDL cholesterol by 62% at high doses in a Phase 1 clinical trial. The one-time treatment showed no treatment-related serious adverse events. Verve had previously shelved its first gene-editing candidate due to safety concerns.
VERVE-102 clinical trial results
▪Eli Lilly announced the VERVE-102 clinical trial results on May 25, 2026.
▪VERVE-102 is being tested as a one-time treatment for lowering LDL cholesterol.
▪A high dose of VERVE-102 reduced cholesterol levels by 62% in participants in a Phase 1 clinical trial.
▪VERVE-102 is a gene-editing therapy designed to lower LDL cholesterol.
Verve Therapeutics acquisition
▪Eli Lilly acquired Verve Therapeutics in 2025.
▪Eli Lilly acquired VERVE-102 in its $1 billion buyout of Verve Therapeutics.
Heart disease prevention strategy
▪Eli Lilly executives tout VERVE-102 as a potential treatment to broadly prevent heart disease.
▪Many patients struggle to stay on existing conventional medicines for reducing cholesterol levels.
Safety profile findings
▪Verve Therapeutics had to shelve its first gene-editing candidate due to safety concerns.
▪There were no treatment-related serious adverse events in the VERVE-102 Phase 1 study.
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