The acquisition aligns with Eli Lilly’s broader diversification strategy beyond its core diabetes and obesity treatment portfolio.

Eli Lilly agreed to acquire Verve Therapeutics for about $1 billion upfront, adding a potential treatment for cardiovascular disease to its portfolio. Under the agreement, the pharmaceutical company will buy all of the gene-editing startup’s shares outstanding for $10.

Eli Lilly has struck a deal to buy Crispr gene-editing start-up Verve Therapeutics for up to $1.3bn, the latest acquisition by the world’s most valuable drugmaker as it seeks to boost its pipeline of experimental medicines.