What Verve Therapeutics does

Verve Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing single-course in vivo gene editing medicines that target cardiovascular disease, the leading global cause of mortality. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the company pursues a one-time, liver-directed intervention designed to permanently lower disease-driving lipid biomarkers such as LDL-C and Lp(a) in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and other dyslipidemias. Verve became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company on July 25, 2025, following an acquisition valued at up to $1.3 billion in upfront cash and contingent value rights.

Verve's technology platform centers on in vivo base editing using an adenine base editor (ABE) that makes a single A-to-G nucleotide change in DNA without introducing a double-stranded break. The gene editor is delivered to hepatocytes via the company's proprietary GalNAc-LNP system, in which a GalNAc ligand binds both the asialoglycoprotein receptor and the LDL receptor — a design that uniquely enables gene editor delivery even in patients lacking functional LDL receptors (e.g., HoFH). The pipeline comprises VERVE-102 (lead candidate; inactivates PCSK9; Heart-2 Phase 1b in HeFH and premature coronary artery disease, with FDA Fast Track designation); VERVE-201 (inactivates ANGPTL3; Pulse-1 Phase 1b in HoFH and refractory hypercholesterolemia); VERVE-301 (preclinical; targets LPA/Lp(a) in collaboration with Eli Lilly); and the earlier-generation VERVE-101, which provided first-in-human proof-of-concept for in vivo base editing in 2022.

Verve's business model has been that of a pre-revenue clinical-stage biotech. Operating capital was raised through venture financing (Series A $58.5M, Series A2 $63M, Series B $94M), an IPO on NASDAQ in June 2021, follow-on public offerings, and corporate partnership economics. The June 2023 Eli Lilly Lp(a) collaboration — expanded in October 2023 to include PCSK9 and ANGPTL3 programs — provided a $60M upfront payment and established milestone- and royalty-based economics. Following the July 2025 acquisition, commercialization of any approved single-course gene editing therapy is expected to leverage Eli Lilly's cardiometabolic sales infrastructure. No product pricing has been disclosed, as all candidates remain investigational; comparable precedent (Hemgenix) suggests potential per-patient pricing above $1M for an approved single-course cardiovascular gene editing therapy, but Verve has no approved products at this time.

Name

Verve Therapeutics

Legal name

Verve Therapeutics, Inc.

Website

https://www.vervetx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Verve Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing single-course in vivo base editing medicines that inactivate PCSK9, ANGPTL3, and LPA genes in the liver to durably lower LDL-C and Lp(a) for cardiovascular disease patients. Acquired by Eli Lilly in July 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Pre-revenue Clinical Development: Verve Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that, prior to acquisition, generated no product revenue. Its programs (VERVE-102, VERVE-201, VERVE-301) are investigational and not yet approved by any health authority. Revenue, if achieved, is expected to come from one-time treatment dosing of single-course gene editing medicines rather than chronic recurring prescriptions.
2. Collaboration and Licensing Revenue (Lilly): In June 2023, Verve established a global collaboration with Eli Lilly for its in vivo gene editing program targeting Lp(a), with $60 million in committed investment including upfront payment, milestones, and royalties. In October 2023, the relationship expanded to include Verve's in vivo PCSK9 and ANGPTL3 programs. Revenue streams included upfront payments, milestone payments, and future royalties on commercialized products.
3. Acquisition Proceeds (Eli Lilly Takeover): In June 2025, Eli Lilly agreed to acquire Verve for up to $1.3 billion ($10.50 per share upfront plus up to $300 million in contingent value rights/clinical milestones), with the acquisition completed in July 2025. Verve Therapeutics now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly, with commercialization handled within Lilly's cardiometabolic franchise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Core offering

Verve Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing single-course, in vivo base editing medicines designed to permanently turn off specific genes (PCSK9, ANGPTL3, LPA) in the liver to durably lower LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoprotein(a) for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The lead programs (VERVE-102, VERVE-201, VERVE-301) are delivered via Verve's proprietary GalNAc-LNP delivery system and are administered as a one-time intravenous infusion, replacing decades of chronic statin or PCSK9 inhibitor therapy.

Product overview

Verve Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company (now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company since July 2025) that operates as a single-platform company organized around an in vivo base editing technology platform with multiple pipeline product candidates. The core base editing platform powers each named program: VERVE-102 (lead PCSK9-targeting clinical candidate delivered via the proprietary GalNAc-LNP, in the Heart-2 Phase 1b trial); VERVE-201 (ANGPTL3-targeting clinical candidate delivered via GalNAc-LNP, in the Pulse-1 Phase 1b trial); VERVE-301 (preclinical LPA/Lp(a)-targeting program in collaboration with Eli Lilly); and the earlier-generation VERVE-101 (PCSK9, first-in-human base editing clinical candidate). All clinical-stage candidates share Verve's proprietary GalNAc-LNP liver delivery technology as the common delivery module. The company's near-term roadmap is to initiate a Phase 2 trial of VERVE-102 while advancing VERVE-201 and the Lp(a) program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VERVE-102: In vivo base editing medicine targeting the PCSK9 gene in the liver to durably lower LDL-C.
• VERVE-201
• VERVE-301
• GalNAc-LNP

Products and services

• VERVE-102 Investigational in vivo base editing medicine that permanently inactivates the PCSK9 gene in the liver to durably lower blood LDL-C. Administered as a single intravenous infusion over a few hours via Verve's proprietary GalNAc-LNP. Being evaluated in the Heart-2 Phase 1b trial in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) and premature coronary artery disease (CAD).
• VERVE-201 Investigational single-course base editing medicine that permanently inactivates the ANGPTL3 gene in the liver to reduce LDL-C and triglyceride levels. Uses Verve's proprietary GalNAc-LNP delivery system. Being developed for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) and refractory hypercholesterolemia, evaluated in the Pulse-1 Phase 1b trial.
• VERVE-301 Investigational single-course gene editing treatment that permanently inactivates the LPA gene in the liver to reduce lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels. Leverages Verve's GalNAc-LNP delivery system. Preclinical-stage program targeting atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with high Lp(a), advanced in collaboration with Eli Lilly.
• VERVE-101 Earlier-generation clinical-stage in vivo base editing medicine targeting the PCSK9 gene in the liver, dosed in the heart-1 Phase 1b clinical trial as a potential treatment for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). Provided first human proof-of-concept for in vivo base editing with dose-dependent reductions in LDL-C and blood PCSK9 protein.

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Beam Therapeutics: Beam Therapeutics is a Cambridge-based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing base editing medicines, the same core technology platform as Verve. It targets multiple disease areas and is the closest direct technical peer to Verve's in vivo base editing approach.
• Intellia Therapeutics: Intellia is a clinical-stage company developing in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing therapies (e.g., NTLA-2001/2002 for transthyretin amyloidosis). It is the leading direct competitor to Verve in systemic in vivo gene editing for chronic disease.
• Editas Medicine: Editas Medicine is a clinical-stage gene editing company using CRISPR/Cas9 and Cas12a for multiple indications. It is a direct peer in the genome editing modality space, though with more ex vivo and ophthalmology focus than Verve's liver-directed in vivo approach.

Broad incumbents

• CRISPR Therapeutics: CRISPR Therapeutics is a commercial-stage gene editing company (Casgevy, in partnership with Vertex) using CRISPR/Cas9. It is a broader incumbent in gene editing with established regulatory and commercial capabilities that Verve now accesses via Eli Lilly.
• Sangamo Therapeutics: Sangamo Therapeutics is a clinical-stage genomic medicine company developing zinc finger nucleases and other genome editing/regulation approaches. It is a broader incumbent in the genome editing space, historically focused on in vivo applications.
• Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Vertex established a 2022 collaboration with Verve for in vivo liver gene editing, holds approved Casgevy, and has stated interest in genetic medicines for serious diseases. It is a broad incumbent and strategic counterparty relevant to the gene editing competitive landscape.

Emerging players

• Prime Medicine: Prime Medicine is developing prime editing, a next-generation gene editing modality that like Verve's base editing avoids double-stranded DNA breaks. It is an emerging peer with partial technical overlap and similar chronic disease ambitions.
• Korro Bio: Korro Bio is developing RNA editing (ADAR-based) medicines with a stated focus on cardiometabolic indications. It is an emerging player targeting overlapping cardiovascular patient populations via an adjacent editing modality.
• Tenaya Therapeutics: Tenaya Therapeutics develops genetic medicines specifically for heart disease, including gene therapy and gene editing approaches for cardiomyopathies and heart failure. It is an emerging peer targeting the same cardiovascular genetics opportunity from a different modality angle.
• Lexeo Therapeutics: Lexeo Therapeutics is a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on cardiovascular diseases including familial cardiomyopathy and dyslipidemias. It is an emerging peer addressing overlapping cardiovascular indications with AAV-based gene therapy rather than base editing.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VerveTx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/verve-therapeutics-inc

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors17 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Verve Therapeutics