Nektar Wins $90 Million Jury Verdict Against Eli Lilly Over Rezpegaldesleukin Deal

08:34 AM EDT, 09/25/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Friday that a jury awarded it $90 million in damages against Eli Lilly (LLY), finding that Lilly breached the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing under an agreement related to the development and commercialization of rezpegaldesleukin. Rezpegaldesleukin is intended to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The case stems from a lawsuit Nektar filed in August 2023 in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. The court will determine the interest due in addition to the $90 million award. The verdict remains subject to post-trial proceedings, and any resulting judgment may be appealed. Eli Lilly didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Shares of Nektar Therapeutics were up 2.7% pre-bell.