Profluent & Eli Lilly Inks a Deal Worth $2.25 Bn to Develop AI-Designed Recombinases for Genetic Medicine

Drug Discovery & Molecular Design
Apr 29, 2026
A flat illustration of a DNA strand and recombinase enzyme

Profluent has partnered with Eli Lilly in a significant collaboration worth up to $2.25 billion to develop AI-designed recombinases aimed at advancing genetic medicine.

This strategic alliance combines Profluent’s AI-driven protein design capabilities with Eli Lilly’s established expertise in clinical and drug development. The goal is to enhance programmable gene editing therapeutics, enabling more precise and scalable DNA editing solutions that traditional methods struggle to achieve.

The partnership will utilize Profluent’s AI platform to create site-specific recombinase enzymes, which are critical for targeted DNA modifications. Under the agreement, Profluent will design these enzymes for various genomic targets, while Eli Lilly will have exclusive rights to advance them into preclinical development and further stages.

This collaboration reflects a growing interest in harnessing AI for innovative solutions in genetic medicine. As noted by Profluent’s CEO Ali Madani, the partnership aims to unlock previously unattainable therapeutic possibilities, indicating a strong demand from the pharmaceutical sector for advanced genetic editing tools. This deal underscores the potential of AI in reshaping the landscape of genetic therapies.

Read the original article: Digital Health News