Lexeo Therapeutics (NASDAQ: LXEO) Surges 5.36% on Strategic Collaboration with Johnson & Johnson for Cardiac Gene Therapy

Lexeo Therapeutics (NASDAQ: LXEO) surged 5.36% in pre-market trading on January 8, 2026, following the announcement of a strategic research collaboration with Johnson & Johnson to advance localized cardiac gene therapy delivery. The partnership aims to combine Lexeo’s expertise in cardiac genetic medicine with J&J’s cardiovascular technologies, including Impella heart pumps, to develop novel methods for targeted adeno-associated viral (AAV) gene therapy.

The initiative focuses on leveraging Impella technology to enhance myocardial perfusion and concentrate AAV delivery to the heart, potentially reducing required viral doses while improving safety and clinical efficacy. Lexeo’s CEO emphasized the collaboration’s potential to address unmet needs in genetically mediated cardiovascular diseases, such as Friedreich ataxia and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, by advancing preclinical development through localized administration routes.

By integrating J&J’s circulatory innovations with Lexeo’s pipeline, the partnership seeks to accelerate the next generation of targeted therapies, addressing challenges in gene therapy scalability and systemic exposure risks. The move underscores Lexeo’s commitment to pioneering genetic treatments for cardiovascular conditions, aligning with recent analyst optimism about its therapeutic pipeline and long-term growth potential.