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Lilly completes acquisition of Centessa Pharmaceuticals to advance treatments for sleep-wake disorders

PR Newswire· June 24, 2026

Eli Lilly and Company has finalized its acquisition of Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc, a clinical-stage firm specializing in orexin receptor 2 agonists. This strategic move aims to bolster Lilly’s neuroscience portfolio by targeting narcolepsy and other debilitating sleep-wake disorders. The acquisition highlights the pharmaceutical industry's growing interest in the orexin system as a critical pathway for managing brain health and sleep stability.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc on June 24, 2026. Centessa is recognized as a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing a new class of medicines known as orexin receptor 2 agonists. These treatments are primarily designed to address narcolepsy, a severe and life-altering condition characterized by disrupted sleep-wake cycles, with the potential to treat other related sleep-wake disorders.

The acquisition is centered on the fundamental role of the orexin system in human brain health, which governs wakefulness, alertness, and sleep stability. Carole Ho, Lilly’s executive vice president and president of Lilly Neuroscience, emphasized that disruptions in this system can be profoundly disabling for patients. By acquiring Centessa’s clinical portfolio, Lilly intends to explore the depth of these programs with urgency to address significant unmet needs in the sleep disorder market, noting that orexin's reach extends to various diseases impacted by disrupted sleep.

This move aligns with Lilly's broader mission to harness biotechnology and chemistry to solve significant global health challenges. Beyond neuroscience and sleep-wake disorders, the company continues to focus on redefining diabetes care, treating obesity, and advancing therapies for Alzheimer's disease, immune system disorders, and difficult-to-treat cancers. The integration of Centessa's assets allows Lilly to leverage its 150-year history of drug discovery to potentially deliver innovative treatments that reflect the diversity of the global population while ensuring medicine remains accessible and affordable.

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