Eli Lilly teams with Hong Kong's Metis TechBio in up to $1.1 billion AI nanoparticle partnership

Eli Lilly has entered a partnership with Hong Kong‑based Metis TechBio to access an artificial‑intelligence driven platform for designing lipid nanoparticles that can improve drug delivery.

The collaboration will focus on Metis' AiLNP system, which uses a large lipid library, screening processes and a language model to generate new ionizable lipids. The goal is to find particles that target tissues more efficiently, shortening the path from computer modeling to animal testing.

Financially, the deal includes an upfront payment in the low double‑digit‑million‑dollar range, with the remainder tied to development milestones and potential royalties on any products that emerge.

For Lilly, the agreement adds to a growing portfolio of deals aimed at strengthening its capabilities in both advanced drug delivery and AI technologies.