Monte Rosa Therapeutics and Novartis AG have announced a strategic collaboration focused on developing molecular glue degraders (MGDs) targeting VAV1, a key protein involved in immune signaling. The agreement, valued at $2.1 billion, aims to advance novel therapies for immune-mediated diseases.
The partnership centers on MRT-6160, a molecule currently in Phase I clinical trials. MRT-6160 is undergoing a phase I single ascending dose/multiple ascending dose study in healthy volunteers for immune-mediated conditions. The collaboration will leverage Monte Rosa's QuEEN (Quaternary Encoding Enhanced Neomorph) platform to discover and develop MGDs that selectively degrade VAV1.
VAV1 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) specifically expressed in hematopoietic cells, playing a crucial role in T-cell and B-cell receptor signaling. Its dysregulation has been implicated in various autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, making it an attractive therapeutic target.
The collaboration will combine Monte Rosa's expertise in MGD discovery with Novartis' capabilities in drug development and commercialization. The $2.1 billion deal includes upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalties on future sales. This partnership underscores the growing interest in molecular glue degradation as a therapeutic modality, offering the potential to target previously undruggable proteins.
