New York, Jan 7, 2026, 05:03 EST — Premarket
- Ventyx Biosciences shares were up about 66% in premarket trading
- WSJ reported Eli Lilly is in advanced talks to buy Ventyx for more than $1 billion
- Traders are watching for a deal announcement or confirmation from either company
Ventyx Biosciences shares jumped about 66% before the bell on Wednesday after a report that Eli Lilly is in advanced talks to buy the biotech company for more than $1 billion. The stock traded at $16.70 in premarket action, versus a $10.05 regular-session close.
The move matters because a confirmed deal would lock in a takeover premium for a company whose value has swung sharply on trial timelines and pipeline expectations. It also tests whether big drugmakers are willing to pay up for clinical-stage assets tied to inflammation and obesity-linked disease.
The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, said the talks were advanced and a deal could be announced imminently. Lilly told Reuters it does not “comment on business development activity,” while Ventyx did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters
Ventyx ended Tuesday’s regular session up 28.5% at $10.05, then hit $16.28 in after-hours trading, according to market data. Extended-hours trading can be volatile because fewer shares change hands outside the 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. session.
Ventyx, based in San Diego, develops oral drugs for inflammatory diseases. The Journal said it has programs spanning inflammatory bowel disease and other areas including Parkinson’s disease, and one experimental drug in mid-stage testing for a cardiovascular condition linked to obesity.
Separately, UBS analyst Michael Yee initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a $20 price target, citing “a differentiated NLRP3 pipeline targeting cardiometabolic and CNS indications,” TipRanks reported. Yee also pointed to a Sanofi right-of-first-negotiation agreement tied to one program, according to the report. TipRanks
A key risk is that negotiations can still break down, and neither side has confirmed terms such as price, structure or timing. Law firm Pomerantz LLP also issued an investor alert this week, adding noise around the name as trading accelerated.
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