Eli Lilly and Company announced a strategic licensing deal with MeiraGTx to develop gene therapies for eye diseases, marking a significant expansion into ophthalmology. The collaboration gives Lilly exclusive global rights to AAV-AIPL1, a gene therapy in development for a rare inherited blindness, which has already shown positive results in restoring vision in children. The agreement includes a $75 million upfront payment to MeiraGTx, with potential milestone payments of over $400 million, plus royalties. The deal also provides Lilly with access to MeiraGTx's broader gene therapy technologies, including its proprietary 'riboswitch' platform. This move reinforces Lilly's growing interest and investment in the gene therapy space, following other recent acquisitions and partnerships in the field. It signals a strategic push to diversify its pipeline with innovative modalities beyond its blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss drugs.