VivoSim receives $5M phase 2 milestone payment from Eli Lilly for its FXR agonist
15 July 2026
San Diego-based VivoSim Labs, Inc., formerly known as Organovo Holdings, Inc. a clinical stage biotechnology company that is developing drugs that are demonstrated to be effective in 3D human tissues of liver and intestine, announced that it has received a $5M payment from Eli Lilly.
This payment represents the dosing of the first patient in Phase 2 studies with a farnesoid X receptor agonist (LY4395089) for treating inflammatory bowel disease, developed by VivoSim using its proprietary 3D tissue model and sold to Eli Lilly.
Inflammatory bowel disease - ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease - are autoimmune disorders of the gastrointestinal system posing a significant personal and economic burden. Modeling of this disease in commonly employed model organisms fails to recapitulate the underlying mechanisms and clinical features. Inter-species differences in gastrointestinal physiology, microbiome, metabolism, gene expression and immune system represent an important barrier for translation of preclinical promise to meaningful benefits for patients. Currently there is no cure for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and the existing treatment options show a variable efficacy.
Approved by the FDA in 2025 for treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, mirikizumab is an anti‑IL‑23p19 monoclonal antibody that exterts its effects on inflammatory processes by blocking IL‑23 signaling. The main purpose of the Phase 2 clinical trial for LY4395089 is to see how its safety and efficacy given together with mirikizumab compares with mirikizumab alone in adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease.
The drug’s development is entirely guided by Eli Lilly, but VivoSim remains eligible for up to $45M in additional milestone payments, provided it is able to hit key regulatory and commercial milestones.
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