Eli Lilly Acquires Adverum Biotechnologies, Advancing Gene Therapy for Ocular Diseases

Eli Lilly Acquires Adverum Biotechnologies, Advancing Gene Therapy for Ocular Diseases

Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has announced its acquisition of Adverum Biotechnologies, a clinical-stage company specializing in gene therapies for ocular diseases. This development, reported on October 27, 2025, marks a significant move in the landscape of genetic medicine and holds particular relevance for the inherited retinal disease (IRD) community, as it signals increased investment and focus on innovative treatments for eye conditions.

The acquisition centers around Adverum's lead candidate, ixo-vec (formerly known as ADVM-022), an intravitreal gene therapy currently in Phase III development for wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). While wAMD is distinct from many inherited retinal diseases, advancements in gene therapy technology and delivery methods, like those being pursued by Adverum, often have broader implications for the entire field of ocular gene therapy. The pursuit of