METiS and Lilly Partner to Develop AI-Designed, Tissue-Targeted LNPs
The strategic collaboration will provide Lilly access to METiS’ AI and nanomaterial science expertise as the company looks to strengthen its position in advanced drug delivery.
METiS TechBio, a Hong Kong-listed AI-powered drug delivery company, has entered a strategic research collaboration with Eli Lilly to develop novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technologies capable of delivering therapeutic payloads to specific tissues. The partnership sees METiS’ artificial intelligence-led LNP design platform pair up with Lilly’s drug discovery, development, and commercialization expertise (1).
Under the terms of the agreement, METiS will use its AiLNP platform to develop next-generation delivery technologies intended to improve the targeting and biodistribution of LNP-based medicines. Lilly will contribute capabilities across discovery, development, and commercialization to help advance the resulting programs.
The financial terms of the agreement give METiS an upfront multi-million payment with the potential to reach approximately USD 1.1 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments. METiS is also eligible for single-digit tiered royalties on annual net sales of products arising from the collaboration.
LNPs have become one of the most important delivery vehicles to enable messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, but are increasingly being used across RNA therapeutics, gene editing, and other advanced modalities. The challenge of directing them beyond the liver to disease-relevant tissues and cells continues to remain, where improved specificity could expand both safety and therapeutic potential.
“Delivery remains a critical determinant of therapeutic success, particularly as the industry expands into increasingly sophisticated modalities,” said Chris Lai, Chairman and CEO of METiS TechBio, in a company press release (1). “By combining METiS’ AI-powered platform with Lilly’s scientific expertise and development capabilities, we aim to unlock a new generation of tissue-targeted delivery technologies that have the potential to transform how medicines reach patients.”
METiS applies generative and predictive AI, nanomaterial science and high-throughput experimentation to the design of drug delivery systems and formulations. The company’s AiLNP platform is designed to discover and optimize ionizable lipids and LNP compositions, with the aim of improving how nucleic acid and other therapies are distributed around the body.
Lilly has been active in the genetic medicines field, including its work with Verve Therapeutics on gene-editing programs. For METiS, the agreement follows a series of platform and partnership announcements, including the launch of its METiS AiProtein platform and antibody design agent AARON (2), and an immune-targeted LNP collaboration with Grit Biotechnology (3).
References
1. METiS TechBio. METiS TechBio Announces Strategic Collaboration with Lilly to Advance Next-Generation Tissue-Specific LNP Delivery Technologies. Press Release, Oct.19, 2026.
2. METiS TechBio. METiS TechBio Launches METiS AiProtein Platform and Antibody Design Agent AARON. Press Release, May 26, 2026.
3. METiS TechBio. METiS TechBio and Grit Biotechnology Announce Immune-Targeted LNP Technology Collaboration; NanoForge Platform OpenCGT Collaborations Surpass RMB 6 Billion in Total Value. Press Release, May 18, 2026.
