Eli Lilly Slips to 33rd in Trading Volume as $15.6 Billion Deal with Verve Therapeutics Unfolds

On June 18, 2025, Eli Lilly (LLY) experienced a significant decline in trading volume, with a total turnover of $15.60 billion, marking a 31.71% decrease from the previous day. This placed Eli Lilly at the 33rd position in terms of trading volume for the day. The stock price of Eli Lilly also saw a decline of 0.85%, marking the third consecutive day of losses, with a total decrease of 4.25% over the past three days.

Eli Lilly has announced its acquisition of Verve Therapeutics, a move aimed at advancing one-time treatments for individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease. This strategic acquisition is part of Lilly's broader push into gene editing and cardiac care. The deal involves an upfront payment of nearly $1 billion, with an additional $300 million contingent on Verve achieving specific clinical milestones. Verve Therapeutics is known for its development of single-course in vivo base editing therapies targeting liver genes implicated in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The lead candidate, VERVE-102, is currently in Phase 1b trials for familial hypercholesterolemia and premature coronary artery disease, and has received FDA Fast Track designation.

This acquisition positions Eli Lilly at the forefront of gene editing technology, enhancing its existing cardiovascular portfolio with a potential one-and-done therapeutic approach. The success of base editing therapies could revolutionize the management of chronic heart disease, shifting from lifelong treatment regimens to single-treatment cures. Investors will closely monitor the regulatory progress of VERVE-102, data from ongoing Phase 1b studies, and how Lilly integrates Verve's specialized R&D into its broader pipeline. Early clinical readouts and FDA feedback will be crucial in realizing the full value of this acquisition.