Real Life “Indiana Jones” Just Made $200 Million From Eli Lilly Stock

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq marched to new record highs on Tuesday, fueled by whispers of interest rate cuts. The S&P 500 notched its 36th record close this year, while the Nasdaq tiptoed up 0.1%. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones played the party pooper, dipping 0.1%.

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Real Life “Indiana Jones” Just Made $200 Million From Eli Lilly Stock

If your college experience was anything like mine, besides it being a huge waste of money, you probably didn’t think much of your professors. In fact, I remember joking with my buddies during class that my business school professor probably couldn’t run a business to save his life.

Well, one Harvard professor is trying to put a stop to the stereotype once and for all. His name is Timothy Springer, and although he may just look like your dad’s CPA, this guy just pocketed another $200 million—yes, you read that right—thanks to a jaw-dropping deal with Eli Lilly. Let's dive into this story…

(Source: Harvard Medical School)

Timothy Springer, the brain behind Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough, has struck gold again. On Monday, Eli Lilly announced it's dropping a casual $3.2 billion to acquire Morphic Holding, a company Springer founded back in 2014. 

As soon as the news hit, Morphic’s shares skyrocketed by 75%, making everyone else look like they're moving in slow motion.

Springer, who owns a solid 16% of Morphic, is set to rake in around $435 million when the deal closes later this year. And that's before taxes. As of Monday afternoon, Forbes pegs his net worth at a hefty $2 billion. When asked for a comment, Springer did the classic billionaire move: kept quiet.

So, what’s all the Morphic hype about? They’re developing some revolutionary oral drugs using integrins—those little protein matchmakers that help cells communicate and hold hands. If you're confused, you’re in good company—I didn’t go to medical school either.

This technology could be a game-changer for treating autoimmune diseases and chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and cancer. Eli Lilly, always on the lookout for a big win, spotted Morphic’s lead drug candidate, MORF-057. This drug, now in Phase 2 trials, aims to tackle ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. In the world of biotech, finding a drug this promising is like discovering a rare treasure, and Lilly wasn't about to let this opportunity slip away.

Springer’s journey is nothing short of legendary. Since earning his Ph.D. in molecular biology in 1976, he’s been a fixture at Harvard, making groundbreaking discoveries in immunology. In the ‘80s, he identified integrins and lymphocyte function-associated molecules, which laid the foundation for his first biotech venture, LeukoSite. 

He took it public in 1998 and sold it a year later for a whopping $635 million, pocketing $100 million in Millennium Pharmaceuticals shares. What a legend right? That right there might put him an inch above Indiana Jones as the coolest professor ever.

And if you’re thinking Springer is just a flash in the pan, think again! This guy is a biotech rockstar with a Midas touch. His entrepreneurial hits include Cartesian Therapeutics, Tectonic Therapeutic, and Scholar Rock, all of which are making waves in their respective fields.

In 2022, he even snagged the prestigious Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research award, cementing his status as a lasting powerhouse in the world of science.

(Source: Harvard Medical School)

But Springer’s crowning jewel is his investment in Moderna. Back in 2010, he threw $5 million into this then-unknown biotech company. Today, his 3% stake is worth about $1.4 billion. I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about what it must be like to log into your brokerage account and see that on the screen.

And now with Eli Lilly’s $3.2 billion bet on Morphic, it’s clear that Springer’s golden touch is still strong. Quite the story right? So next time you hear his name in the news, you better pay attention. Forget Buffett and Dalio, because everything this professor touches turns to gold.

Stock.News has positions in Moderna.