US-based Monte Rosa Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GLUE) has entered into a licensing agreement with Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis (NYSE: NVS), granting Novartis exclusive global development and commercialization rights to Monte Rosa’s VAV1-targeted molecular glue degraders (MGDs), including the investigational drug MRT-6160.
As per the agreement, Novartis will make an upfront payment of $150 million to Monte Rosa, with the potential for the US company to receive up to $2.1 billion in development, regulatory, and sales milestones, commencing with the initiation of Phase II studies. Monte Rosa is also eligible to receive tiered royalties on ex-U.S. net sales. The company will co-fund any Phase III clinical development and will share profits and losses related to the manufacturing and commercialization of MRT-6160 in the U.S.
MRT-6160 is a potent, highly selective, and orally bioavailable degrader of VAV1, a signaling protein that plays a crucial role in both T- and B-cell receptors. Preclinical studies have shown significant degradation of VAV1 and a substantial reduction in cytokines associated with immune-mediated conditions, with no observable effects on other proteins. MRT-6160 is currently in the Phase I clinical stage.- Flcube.com
