STAT+: Eli Lilly to acquire psychedelics-focused biotech AtaiBeckley

STAT PlusBiotech Eli Lilly to acquire psychedelics-focused biotech AtaiBeckley The deal, worth $2.8 billion upfront, will expand Lilly’s neuroscience portfolio and extend its recent acquistion run Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Adam FeuersteinJuly 16, 2026 Adam Feuerstein, a senior writer and biotech columnist, is the author of Adam’s Biotech Scorecard, a subscriber-only newsletter about the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. Adam Feuerstein[email protected]Adam Feuerstein is a senior writer and biotech columnist, reporting on the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. He is also a co-host of the weekly biotech podcast The Readout Loud and author of the newsletter Adam’s Biotech Scorecard. You can reach Adam on Signal at stataf.54. Eli Lilly is acquiring AtaiBeckley, the developer of psychedelic treatments for mental health conditions, to expand its portfolio of neuroscience medicines, the company said Thursday. The AtaiBeckley deal is just the latest in a string of acquisitions by the pharma giant, flush with cash from its booming GLP-1 business. Advertisement Lilly is paying $2.8 billion in cash upfront for AtaiBeckley, with the potential for another $1 billion payout contingent on certain development and regulatory milestones. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, psychedelics, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Adam Feuerstein Senior Writer, Biotech Adam Feuerstein is a senior writer and biotech columnist, reporting on the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. He is also a co-host of the weekly biotech podcast The Readout Loud and author of the newsletter Adam’s Biotech Scorecard. You can reach Adam on Signal at stataf.54. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Adam's Biotech Scorecard July 16, 2026 STAT Plus: Amylyx nears pivotal endocrine drug study readout First Opinion July 16, 2026 The growing fang-to-pharmacy pipeline Advertisement The Readout July 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Celcuity’s breast cancer drug approved, its first Biotech July 15, 2026 STAT Plus: A new biotech startup tries to tackle obesity, but not in the way you might expect Biotech July 14, 2026 STAT Plus: Anthropic’s Claude Science is coming for Kendall Square Subscriber Picks