Eli Lilly announces a definitive agreement to acquire Merida Biosciences for up to $2.875 billion in cash, gaining access to an innovative antibody-engineering platform that selectively targets pathogenic autoantibodies in autoimmune and allergic diseases. The acquisition includes Merida's lead program MER511, currently in Phase 1 development for Graves' disease and thyroid eye disease, along with earlier-stage programs addressing food allergy, asthma, and kidney disease.