Novartis Bets $2.25 Billion on Molecular Glue Degrader MRT-6160 Targeting VAV1 for Immune-Mediated Diseases

Oct 28, 2024 22:28 CST Updated 22:28

Monte Rosa Therapeutics

Small Molecule Degrader Developer

Novartis

Drug Development and Manufacturing

On October 28, molecular glue star company Monte Rosa Therapeutics announced its collaboration withNovartisReach a global exclusive development and commercialization licensing agreement to promote the targeting of VAV1Molecular Glue Degraders (MGD)The research and development, including the advancement of the MRT-6160 project.

MRT-6160 is an effective, highly selective, orally bioavailable VAV1 degrader, where VAV1 is a key signaling protein downstream of T and B cell receptors. Preclinical studies have demonstrated profound degradation of VAV1, leading to...Immune-Mediated DiseasesThe relevant cytokines were significantly reduced. MRT-6160 has shown promising activity in preclinical models of various immune-mediated diseases.

Currently, MRT-6160 is undergoing a Phase I clinical study in healthy volunteers for immune-mediated diseases. Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will obtain global exclusive rights for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of MRT-6160 and other VAV1 molecular glue degraders and will be responsible for all clinical development and commercialization starting from Phase II clinical studies. Monte Rosa Therapeutics will continue to oversee the completion of the ongoing Phase I clinical study for MRT-6160.

Novartis has agreed to Monte RosaPrepayment of 150 million US dollars. Starting from the initiation of the Phase II study, Monte Rosa is also eligible to receive up to$2.1 billionThe development, regulatory, and commercialization milestones, as well as tiered royalties on net sales outside the United States.

Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 2019 and is dedicated to developing novel Molecular Glue Degraders (MGD) for patients with serious diseases in the fields of oncology, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory conditions. The company’s core technology platform, QuEEN™ (Quantitative and Engineered Elimination of Neosubstrates), integrates AI-guided chemistry, diverse chemical libraries, structural biology, and proteomics to identify degradable protein targets and rationally design molecular glue degraders with unprecedented selectivity.

"This transaction validates our unique and industry-leading QuEEN™ discovery engine. We are more confident in leveraging this platform to rationally design and develop safe and effective molecular glue degraders targeting undruggable targets," said Dr. Markus Warmuth, CEO of Monte Rosa Therapeutics.

It is worth mentioning that, in addition to this collaboration with Novartis, on October 17, 2023, a pharmaceutical giantRocheAlso entered into a strategic collaboration with Monte Rosa Therapeutics to discoverCancer and Neurological DiseasesNovel molecular glue degraders for targets. The upfront payment for the collaboration is $50 million, with potential milestones exceeding $2 billion.

References:

[1]https://ir.monterosatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/monte-rosa-therapeutics-announces-global-license-agreement

[2]https://ir.monterosatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/monte-rosa-therapeutics-announces-strategic-collaboration-roche

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