Monte-Rosa Therapeutics enters billion-dollar partnership with Novartis

Monte Rosa Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Boston and Basel developing highly selective molecular glue degrader (MGD) medicines for patients living with serious diseases in the areas of oncology, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and more. MGDs are small molecule protein degraders that have the potential to treat many diseases that other modalities, including other degraders, cannot.

The goal of the global exclusive development and commercialization license agreement with Novartis to advance VAV1-directed MGDs, including MRT-6160. MRT-6160 is a potent, highly selective, and orally bioavailable investigational molecular glue degrader of VAV1. VAV1-directed MGDs have shown promising activity in preclinical models of autoimmune diseases and thus have the potential to provide therapeutic benefits in multiple systemic and neurological autoimmune indications, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and dermatological disorders. 

Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will obtain exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize MRT-6160 and other VAV1 MGDs and will be responsible for all clinical development and commercialization, starting with Phase 2 clinical studies. Monte Rosa remains responsible for completion of the ongoing Phase 1 clinical study of MRT-6160.

Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis has agreed to pay Monte Rosa $150 million up front. Monte Rosa is eligible to receive up to $2.1 billion in development, regulatory, and sales milestones, beginning upon initiation of Phase 2 studies, as well as tiered royalties on ex-U.S. net sales. 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.

“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 believe the transaction validates our unique and industry leading QuEEN discovery engine, and it further increases our conviction to rationally design and develop highly selective and safe MGDs for undruggable targets, including in the areas of immunology and inflammation, metabolism, and genetic diseases,” said Markus Warmuth, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Monte Rosa Therapeutics. “The financial resources provided by this agreement are expected to extend our operational runway, enable us to advance our pipeline to potential value-creating milestones and anticipated proof-of-concept readouts, and further leverage our QuEEN discovery engine.”

Monte Rosa was launched from founding investor Versant Ventures’ Ridgeline Discovery Engine in Basel and is today headquartered in Boston, Mass., with operations in both Boston and Basel. 

(Press release / SK)