Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) has entered a research collaboration and licensing agreement with Boston-based Amplitude Therapeutics to discover and develop trans-amplifying RNA (taRNA) vaccine candidates for infectious diseases, giving Lilly access to a next-generation RNA vaccine platform at the preclinical stage.
The deal hands Lilly exclusive, target-specific rights to develop and commercialize products directed to the initial collaboration targets globally, with the company also retaining options to add up to two further infectious disease targets. Amplitude will lead taRNA optimization and selected preclinical research under agreed plans; Lilly assumes responsibility for all subsequent preclinical development, clinical development, manufacturing, regulatory activities, and commercialization. Financial terms were not disclosed. The multi-target option structure embedded in a research collaboration is more characteristic of platform deals than single-asset vaccine partnerships, giving Lilly scope to apply the platform across several infectious disease programs.
Unlike conventional mRNA vaccines, in which the delivered RNA is translated and then degraded, amplifying RNA platforms encode replication machinery that generates additional RNA copies inside cells, potentially enabling comparable immune responses at lower doses. Amplitude's taRNA approach separates the replicase machinery from the antigen-encoding RNA onto distinct constructs, a design intended to make antigen selection and dosing more flexible while retaining the potential potency advantages of RNA amplification.
Founded in 2022, Amplitude is backed by ARCH Venture Partners, Newpath Partners, and Alta Partners, and has received non-dilutive support from BARDA, CEPI, and the Gates Foundation. It is also a member of Lilly's Gateway Labs community.