Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ajax Therapeutics, a private biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation JAK inhibitors for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) — a group of blood cancers that includes myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera. Under the terms of the deal, Ajax shareholders could receive up to $2.3 billion in cash, comprising an upfront payment and additional milestone-based payments tied to clinical and regulatory progress.