Monte Rosa Therapeutics Finalizes Global License with Novartis for VAV1-targeting Degraders

BOSTON, MA, USA I December 11, 2024 I Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc., a company at the forefront of biotechnology with a focus on developing molecular glue degrader (MGD) medicines, has announced the finalization of a strategic agreement with pharmaceutical giant Novartis. This global exclusive development and commercialization license deal centers on advancing VAV1-directed MGDs, including the promising MRT-6160.

Under this agreement, Novartis gains exclusive global rights to develop, produce, and market MRT-6160 and other VAV1 MGDs. Novartis will spearhead all clinical development efforts starting from Phase 2 trials onward, while Monte Rosa will complete the current Phase 1 study of MRT-6160. As part of the financial terms, Novartis has committed to an upfront payment of $150 million to Monte Rosa. Additionally, Monte Rosa stands to receive as much as $2.1 billion in potential development, regulatory, and sales milestones and will earn tiered royalties on net sales outside the United States. The agreement also stipulates that Monte Rosa will share in the financing of any Phase 3 trials and partake in the profits and losses associated with the U.S. manufacturing and commercialization of MRT-6160.

MRT-6160 is an investigational therapeutic agent known for its potent, selective, and orally available properties. It targets VAV1, a critical signaling protein connected to T- and B-cell receptors. Early studies have shown that MRT-6160 achieves profound degradation of VAV1, which significantly reduces cytokines associated with immune-mediated diseases, without affecting other proteins. Promising results have emerged from preclinical trials, revealing MRT-6160’s potential in addressing multiple immune-related conditions.

Monte Rosa Therapeutics is committed to pioneering molecular glue degrader (MGD) medicines aimed at treating severe diseases in oncology, autoimmune, and inflammatory domains. MGDs are small molecules that degrade specific proteins, offering therapeutic advantages for conditions untreatable by other methods. Monte Rosa utilizes its QuEEN™ (Quantitative and Engineered Elimination of Neosubstrates) discovery engine, which integrates AI-guided chemistry, diverse chemical libraries, structural biology, and proteomics. This approach allows for the identification of degradable protein targets and the creation of MGDs with exceptional selectivity.

Through the QuEEN discovery engine, Monte Rosa accesses a diverse and distinct range of biological targets across various therapeutic areas. Its innovative pipeline of MGDs covers oncology, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases, among others. Besides its agreement with Novartis, Monte Rosa has forged a strategic partnership with Roche to discover and develop MGDs for cancer and neurological disease targets that were previously deemed undruggable.

Monte Rosa’s venture into VAV1-targeted MGDs and its extensive pipeline underscore its role as a leader in developing next-generation therapeutics. The collaboration with Novartis exemplifies a significant step in advancing treatments for complex immune conditions, leveraging the unique capabilities of molecular glue degraders to address unmet medical needs. As the field progresses, Monte Rosa continues to enhance its position as a pivotal player in transforming therapeutic approaches across multiple disease areas.