#read

Seamless Therapeutics lands Lilly deal and targets hearing loss

With a global research and licence agreement with Eli Lilly, Seamless Therapeutics from Dresden is sending a strong signal for the next wave of genetic medicine. At its centre is an approach that differs significantly from traditional gene editing. Seamless programmes recombinases. These are enzymes that not only cut DNA segments with pinpoint accuracy, but can also insert, replace or remove them precisely and extensively in the genome. Crucially, this technology works independently of the cell's natural repair mechanisms and could therefore theoretically scale up in a more controlled and cleaner way.

28/01/2026

Lilly receives an exclusive licence to the targeted recombinases developed by Seamless and takes over further preclinical and clinical development through to commercialisation. Seamless remains the think tank and provides the programmed tools, while Lilly contributes development power, regulatory experience and industrial implementation in genetic hearing disorders. Financial details are not disclosed, but Seamless will receive a guaranteed upfront payment and committed research and development funding. In total, the package could grow to over USD 1.12 billion, subject to development and commercialisation milestones, plus revenue-based royalties upon success. For Dresdner, it is more than just a deal. It validates that programmable recombinases as a new class of gene tools can make the leap from the laboratory into the product logic of large pharmaceutical companies. And for patients with genetic hearing loss, this could lead to a truly causal therapy for the first time.

Press release by "Seamless Therapeutics GmbH" dated 28 January 2026

The above texts, or parts thereof, were automatically translated from the original language text using a translation system (DeepL API).
Despite careful machine processing, translation errors cannot be ruled out.

Click here to access the original content