▎WuXiEdited by the Kant Content Team

Unnatural Products (UNP) today announced a collaboration with MSD totaling approximately $220 million, applying UNP's expertise in artificial intelligence and chemistry to design and develop macrocyclic candidate drugs targeting oncology treatment.

Macrocyclic drugs have a long history, with immunosuppressant cyclosporine and antibiotic erythromycin being examples of such drugs. Despite this, a series of challenges in pharmacokinetics, intracellular permeability, and oral bioavailability have historically hindered the systematic development of these compounds. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in macrocyclic drugs within the pharmaceutical industry.MSD stated on its official website that macrocyclic peptide compounds are sized between small molecules and biologics, possessing the advantageous characteristics of being easy to administer like the former and having specific targeting properties akin to the latter.

▲ Comparison of the sizes of small molecules, peptides, and antibodies (Image source: MSD official website)

In addition, compared with traditional linear peptide therapies, macrocyclic peptides can cover more surface area, potentially disrupting protein-protein interactions.MSD's investigational therapy MK-0616 is a macrocyclic peptide that binds to PCSK9 and is currently under examination in Phase 3 trials for its effect on lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

UNP's platform addresses the complexity of macrocyclic drug chemistry through the combination of parallel experiments and machine learning.UNP leverages its chemistry and AI-driven platform to integrate the advantageous features of macrocyclic compounds found in nature into its designed synthetic macrocycles, imparting them with favorable drug-like properties.

Under the terms of the agreement, UNP will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible to receive milestone payments of up to approximately $220 million related to the development and commercialization of the candidate products.

Everyone is watching

▲To learn more about the application of cutting-edge technologies in the biopharmaceutical industry, please long press and scan the QR code above to access "WuXi Live Studio" and watch live discussions and exciting replays on related topics.

[1] Unnatural Products, Inc. Enters Research Collaboration with Merck. Retrieved January 23, 2024 from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/01/23/2814154/0/en/Unnatural-Products-Inc-Enters-Research-Collaboration-with-Merck.html#:~:text=(UNP)%2C%20a%20biotech%20company,candidates%20against%20an%20oncology%20therapeutic

[2] Merck & Co. signs $220M macrocyclic peptide deal after hailing ‘next wave of drug discovery’. Retrieved January 23, 2024 from https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/merck-co-signs-220m-macrocyclic-peptide-deal-after-hailing-next-wave-drug-discovery

[3] Macrocyclic peptides: the next wave of drug discovery. Retrieved January 23, 2024 from https://www.merck.com/stories/macrocyclic-peptides-the-next-wave-of-drug-discovery/

Disclaimer:WuXi AppTec Content Team Focuses on Introducing Global Biomedical and Health Research Progress.This article is for informational exchange only. The views expressed in the article do not represent the position of WuXi AppTec, nor does WuXi AppTec support or oppose the views mentioned in the article.This article is not a recommendation for treatment options.For guidance on treatment options, please visit a正规 hospital.

Copyright Statement: This article is from the WuXi AppTec content team. Individuals are welcome to share it on their social media circles, but unauthorized reproduction by media or institutions in any form to other platforms is prohibited. For reprint authorization, please reply with "reprint" on the "WuXi AppTec" WeChat Official Account to obtain the reprint guidelines.