Zonsen PepLib Biotech has entered into a global research collaboration and licence agreement with Eli Lilly to discover and develop novel peptide drug candidates. Under the agreement, PepLib will use its proprietary, diversified peptide library and discovery platform to identify and optimise lead molecules. Eli Lilly will then be responsible for subsequent investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies, clinical development and commercialisation. PepLib will receive an upfront payment and is eligible for future development, regulatory and sales milestone payments, plus tiered royalties.

This deal with Lilly follows closely on the heels of another major partnership for PepLib. In January 2026, the company licensed the global rights to an undisclosed peptide-based radioligand therapy asset to Novartis. These consecutive collaborations with leading pharmaceutical firms validate PepLib's peptide discovery platform and its strategy of leveraging external partnerships to advance its technology.

According to PharmCube's NextBiopharm® database, this is China's sixth peptide outlicensing deal with a Big Pharma company. Click here to request a free trial for NextBiopharm®.