METiS TechBio Strikes $1.1 Billion AI Drug Delivery Deal With Eli Lilly

METiS TechBio (7666.HK) announced a strategic collaboration with Eli Lilly (LLY) to develop next-generation lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems targeting specific tissues. METiS is eligible for an upfront payment in the low double-digit millions of dollars plus up to approximately $1.1 billion in development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, along with tiered single-digit royalties on future sales. Under the agreement, METiS will use its AI-driven AiLNP platform to discover and optimize novel ionizable lipids and LNP delivery systems, while Lilly contributes drug discovery, development and commercialization expertise. The program aims to improve how therapies are distributed in the body and expand LNP-based medicines across multiple disease areas. The deal marks another push by pharmaceutical companies to apply artificial intelligence and advanced delivery technologies to next-generation therapies. LLY closed Monday's trading at $1,257.03, up 0.43%, within a 52-week range of $793.82 to $1,292.65. 7666.HK is currently trading at HKD 11.690, down 1.93%, within a 52-week range of HKD 9.46 to HKD 29.98.