Novartis Expands Degrader-Focused Collaboration with Monte Rosa Through Major Molecular Glue Deal
Novartis has signed a second major collaboration with Monte Rosa Therapeutics, focusing on the development of molecular glue degrader-based medicines targeting immune-mediated diseases127.
Under the deal, Novartis will pay Monte Rosa $150 million upfront, with potential milestone payments reaching up to $2.1 billion, and total deal value possibly exceeding $5.7 billion when including additional programs126.
Monte Rosa will use its AI/ML-enabled platform to develop these degraders, and Novartis will take over further development and commercialization after completion of ongoing Phase I trials126.
The lead candidate, MRT-6160, is a molecular glue degrader targeting VAV1, a historically 'undruggable' immune signaling protein implicated in autoimmune diseases246.
Monte Rosa will complete the current Phase I study of MRT-6160, after which Novartis will assume responsibility for Phase II and subsequent development, with co-funding for Phase III trials and shared profits and losses in the U.S.6.
Monte Rosa is eligible for tiered royalties on global net sales and maintains the possibility of further collaborations with Novartis on other immune disease-related molecular glue programs16.
Sources:
1. https://www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com/news/265445/novartis-builds-on-monte-rosa-collaboration-with-5-7-billion-deal/
2. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/monte-rosa-aims-be-protein-degradation-champion-150m-novartis-deal-autoimmune-molecular
4. https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/monte-rosa-novartis-molecular-glue-degraders/731185/
6. https://www.biospace.com/business/novartis-inks-potential-2-2b-molecular-glue-deal-with-monte-rosa