AtaiBeckley to be acquired by Lilly in deal valued at up to $3.8 billion

AtaiBeckley to be acquired by Lilly in deal valued at up to $3. 8 billion Proactive Thu, July 16, 2026 at 2:41 PM GMT+2 3 min read LLY ATAI AtaiBeckley to be acquired by Lilly in deal valued at up to $3. 8 billion Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock AtaiBeckley Inc.

(NASDAQ:ATAI, XETRA:9VC) has agreed to be acquired by Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:LLY) in a transaction valued at up to approximately $3. 8 billion, with the deal adding the clinical-stage biotechnology company's pipeline of investigational therapies for treatment-resistant depression and other mental health conditions to Lilly's neuroscience portfolio. Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will pay $6.

75 per share in cash at closing, representing an aggregate equity value of about $2. 8 billion. Shareholders will also receive contingent value rights (CVRs) worth up to an additional $2.

50 per share if specified clinical, regulatory and commercialization milestones for AtaiBeckley's lead programs are achieved, bringing the potential total equity value to about $3. 8 billion. The purchase price represents a premium of about 40% to AtaiBeckley's 30-day volume-weighted average share price through July 15, 2026, according to Lilly.

Lilly said the acquisition would strengthen its neuroscience portfolio by adding therapies designed to restore synaptic connectivity, an approach that differs from conventional antidepressants that primarily target neurotransmitter levels. AtaiBeckley's lead candidate, BPL-003, is an intranasal synthetic form of 5-MeO-DMT being developed for treatment-resistant depression. The company said the therapy demonstrated rapid and durable reductions in depressive symptoms in a Phase 2b trial and has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Phase 3 activities have begun. The company's second most advanced program, VLS-01, is a buccal film formulation of DMT that is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2b study. "Treatment-resistant depression persists even after multiple treatments have failed.

Millions of people are still searching for relief and desperately need a therapy that works," Carole Ho, executive vice president and president of Lilly Neuroscience, said in a statement. "Advancing AtaiBeckley's investigational therapies gives us a real chance to change that. " AtaiBeckley chief executive officer and co-founder Srinivas Rao said the transaction could accelerate development of the company's pipeline.

"Across our portfolio, we're seeking to demonstrate that psychiatric illness is treatable at its biological root, not just its symptoms," Rao said. "Lilly's expertise and reach are expected to accelerate that work for people whose conditions have not responded to existing treatments. " Christian Angermayer, founder, largest shareholder and chairman of AtaiBeckley, said the deal represented "the best path forward for patients and shareholders.

" Story Continues The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to approval by AtaiBeckley shareholders, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Apeiron Investment Group and all AtaiBeckley directors and officers have entered voting and support agreements backing the transaction. The shares covered by those agreements represent approximately 15% of the company's outstanding common stock.

Goldman Sachs is serving as Lilly's exclusive financial adviser, while Moelis & Company and Centerview Partners are advising AtaiBeckley. Shares of AtaiBeckley were set to open 34% higher at $7. 19.