July 2025 Gate Bioscience, a biotechnology innovator specializing in molecular gates a novel class of small-molecule drugs designed to remove disease-causing proteins at their source has entered into a strategic license and collaboration agreement with global pharmaceutical leader Eli Lilly and Company.
The partnership aims to accelerate the discovery, development, and commercialization of molecular gate therapeutics, enabling new treatment options for diseases that currently have limited or no effective therapies.
About the Partnership
Under the agreement, Gate Bioscience will receive:
An equity investment and upfront payment from Lilly.
Milestone payments tied to development, regulatory, and commercial progress.
Tiered royalties on global net sales of any resulting therapies.
Preclinical R&D support through Lilly exploR&D as part of its Catalyze360 program, enhancing Gate’s internal drug development efforts.
This collaboration is expected to fast-track Gate’s molecular gate drug discovery platform and advance medicines that work via a new therapeutic mechanism targeting and eliminating harmful proteins directly inside cells.
A Strategic Step for Biotech Innovation
The alliance represents a growing trend in the healthcare sector, where pharmaceutical giants and emerging biotech companies are joining forces to push the boundaries of drug discovery.
For Gate, the partnership offers financial resources, technical expertise, and global reach to bring their first wave of molecular gate medicines closer to patients. For Lilly, it’s an opportunity to access a promising new drug modality with the potential to address unmet medical needs worldwide.
Leadership Perspectives
Jordi Mata-Fink, Ph.D., Co-founder & CEO of Gate Bioscience, said:
“This partnership strengthens our mission to turn molecular gates into transformative medicines. Our drugs eliminate disease-causing proteins at their origin, offering a powerful and precise approach. Lilly’s track record in bringing innovative therapeutics to market makes them the ideal partner for Gate as we work to develop the first generation of molecular gate drugs.”
Vineeta Agarwal, M.D., Ph.D., Board Member at Gate and General Partner at a16z Bio + Health, added:
“Lilly has consistently demonstrated its commitment to fostering innovation through strategic partnerships with forward-thinking biotech companies. This collaboration opens the door to an exciting new drug modality while leveraging Lilly’s deep expertise in delivering life-changing therapeutics. Ultimately, patients will be the true beneficiaries.”
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