Curevo Vaccine, a privately held clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on varicella zoster virus (VZV) vaccines, has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Eli Lilly and Company (LLY).
Curevo's lead candidate, Amezosvatein, is a Phase 3-ready adjuvanted subunit vaccine designed to prevent shingles in adults. In a Phase 2 head-to-head trial against the current standard of care, Amezosvatein matched immune response across all primary endpoints while reducing side effects such as fatigue, chills, and injection-site pain by more than half.
Under the terms of the agreement, Curevo shareholders could receive up to $1.5 billion in cash, including an upfront payment and a milestone-based payment. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.
Lilly executives highlighted the potential of Amezosvatein to expand shingles vaccination rates by improving tolerability, which could help reduce long-term risks such as stroke and dementia.
Curevo's CEO, George Simeon noted that Lilly's global development and commercialization capabilities will accelerate the advancement of the vaccine.
LLY has traded between $623.78 and $1,133.95 over the past year. The stock closed Friday's trading (May 22, 2026) at $1,065, up 2.24%. In pre-market trading Tuesday the stock is trading at $1,078, up 1.25%.
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