At a Glance
- Companies: Eli Lilly; Seamless Therapeutics GmbH
- Location: Indianapolis, USA; Dresden, Germany
- Deal value: Up to $1.12bn (upfront + milestones + royalties)
- Focus area: Programmable recombinases for hearing loss mutations
- Next steps: Lilly advances preclinical/clinical development
What happened?
Eli Lilly signed a global research collaboration and license agreement with Seamless Therapeutics on 28 January 2026 for gene-editing therapies targeting hearing loss. Seamless designs recombinases to correct specific gene mutations; Lilly gains exclusive worldwide rights to advance resulting candidates through clinic and commercialisation.
Why does it matter?
Hearing loss affects 1.5bn globally, with genetic forms lacking curative options beyond hearing aids/cochlear implants. Programmable recombinases enable precise, large-scale DNA edits without double-strand breaks, offering durable fixes for mutations in inner ear genes like otoferlin.
Who’s behind it?
Seamless (2023 spinout) engineers recombinases for genetic diseases, backed by $40m+ funding. Lilly expands gene therapy portfolio post-Verve ($1.3bn), Akouos ($487m) buys.
How was it achieved?
Seamless’ platform programs site-specific recombinases to insert/delete/invert DNA stretches, bypassing homology-directed repair limitations of CRISPR. Lilly handles all downstream development.
What’s next?
Seamless advances internal pipeline while Lilly nominates first candidates for lab studies by year-end; potential synergies with Lilly’s AK-OTOF gene therapy.
What are people saying?
Seamless CEO Albert Seymour: “Validation of our platform… transform outcomes for genetic hearing loss patients.”