The pharma giant behind Zepbound and Mounjaro—which made the injectable culturally normal for millions of Americans—led a $100 million stock offering in Absci, a generative AI drug company. Adage, BVF Partners, Columbia Threadneedle, Invus and Redmile also participated. Absci used AI to design ABS-201, an injectable antibody targeting the prolactin receptor (a hormone receptor connected to both hair growth and reproductive health). The injectable is meant to treat both androgenetic alopecia (commonly known as male or female pattern baldness) and endometriosis. No approved existing injectable antibody treats either one.
Last week, Lilly’s deal with Absci closed the same day Absci released positive Phase 1 safety data on ABS-201. Absci CEO Sean McClain told me the $40 million buys Lilly “tickets to the game.” In short, proximity. They share a DTC ambition—Lilly has LillyDirect, and Absci wants to sell biologics almost like a consumer brand. McClain floated the idea of eventually fusing his drug with a GLP-1 compound: one shot for hair regrowth and weight loss. “You could see in the future where you’ve combined those products,” he told me. “Total vitality at an affordable price.”
That’s the market this deal is actually pointing at. GLP-1s have made injecting yourself unremarkable.
