Monte Rosa Therapeutics and Novartis have announced an exclusive global agreement to advance the development and commercialization of VAV1 molecular glue degraders (MGDs), including the investigational drug MRT-6160. This collaboration aims to leverage the potential of MGDs in treating immune-mediated conditions.
Agreement Details
Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will obtain exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize MRT-6160 and other VAV1 MGDs. Novartis will be responsible for all clinical development and commercialization activities, beginning with Phase 2 studies. Monte Rosa will continue to manage the ongoing Phase 1 clinical study of MRT-6160. Monte Rosa will co-fund any Phase 3 clinical development and will share any profits and losses associated with the manufacturing and commercialization of MRT-6160 in the U.S.
Novartis will pay Monte Rosa $150 million upfront. Monte Rosa is also eligible to receive up to $2.1 billion in development, regulatory, and sales milestones, in addition to royalties on sales outside the U.S.
About MRT-6160
MRT-6160 is a potent, highly selective, and orally bioavailable investigational degrader of VAV1, a key signaling protein downstream of both the T- and B-cell receptors. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that MRT-6160 achieves deep degradation of VAV1, leading to a significant reduction in cytokines associated with immune-mediated conditions, without detectable effects on other proteins. The drug has shown promising activity in preclinical models of multiple immune-mediated conditions.
Executive Perspectives
Markus Warmuth, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Monte Rosa Therapeutics, stated, "We are thrilled to announce this agreement with Novartis, a key player in immune-mediated conditions, and we are excited about the transformative potential it provides for Monte Rosa and MRT-6160. We expect this will accelerate and broaden the scope of clinical development of MRT-6160 to advance this unique, orally bioavailable modality while retaining substantial value for Monte Rosa."
Fiona Marshall, President of Biomedical Research at Novartis, added, "Novartis has had a long-standing interest in molecular glue degraders, which offer the potential to tackle challenging biological targets. We are excited about their application in immunology and the early progress we have seen by Monte Rosa in this space and with MRT-6160. We look forward to advancing MRT-6160 and learning more about its potential to provide a new therapeutic option for people living with a range of immune-mediated conditions."
