The American pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly expressed interest in taking over the French biotechnological company Abivax for approximately 15 billion euros[4]. Abivax's main active ingredient is the drug obefazimod, which is a first-in-class oral microRNA-124-enhancing agent and is in phase three clinical trials for the treatment of ulcerative colitis[3]. In July, Abivax announced positive results from a third phase of trials for the drug, sending its stock price up more than 500 percent in one day[1]. Abivax's share price rose 20 percent on the day news of the potential takeover emerged[1]. Since the beginning of 2025, the market value of Abivax has increased eightfold, from 500 million euros to more than 8 billion euros[1]. Obefazimod could potentially be a best-in-class ulcerative colitis drug with a large market[3]. However, in January 2026, takeover speculation subsided when Eli Lilly announced an agreement to acquire rival company Ventyx Biosciences[5].