Eli Lilly Weighs Multibillion-Euro Bid for French Biotech Firm Abivax

Key Moments

Potential €15 Billion Takeover in Focus

Eli Lilly is reportedly considering a €15 billion bid to buy French biotech firm Abivax, according to a report by La Lettre on Monday.

However, the U.S.-based pharmaceutical company has not yet submitted an official offer to Abivax’s board. Instead, it is still exploring the transaction and maintaining interest in the deal.

Regulatory Guidance From French Authorities

Before moving to a formal proposal, Eli Lilly is seeking clarification from France’s Finance Ministry. The company wants to confirm whether the deal would fall under the country’s foreign investment rules.

According to the report, this regulatory guidance is a key step for Eli Lilly in deciding its next actions.

$ABVX

Per La Lettre:

Eli Lilly ready to put 15 billion euros ($17. 5 billion) on the table for biotech Abivax.

“Although it has not yet submitted a formal offer to the Abivax board, the Eli Lilly lab is still in the race to buy. Before positioning itself, the American group is… pic.twitter.com/u02tUPLhXb

— Persimmon Tree Investments (@PersimmonTI) January 12, 2026

Strategic Move Into French Biotech

If the acquisition goes through, it would mark a significant expansion for Eli Lilly into the French biotechnology sector. This would broaden the company’s footprint in Europe.

Deal Overview