Monte Rosa Therapeutics Presents Preclinical Data at ACR Convergence 2025 on the Potential of MRT-6160, a VAV1-directed Molecular Glue Degrader, to Treat Immune-mediated Diseases

Core Insights - Monte Rosa Therapeutics is presenting preclinical data on MRT-6160, a molecular glue degrader targeting VAV1, at ACR Convergence 2025, indicating its potential to treat various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases [2][3] - MRT-6160 has shown significant efficacy in a preclinical autoimmune disease model, reducing multiple disease markers and demonstrating broad activity against chronic inflammation and organ involvement [3][6] Group 1: MRT-6160 Overview - MRT-6160 is a highly selective and orally bioavailable investigational drug that degrades VAV1, a key protein in immune signaling [5] - In preclinical studies, MRT-6160 demonstrated deep degradation of VAV1 with no detectable effects on other proteins, indicating its specificity [5] - The drug has shown promising results in models of autoimmune conditions, with a Phase 1 study confirming sustained, dose-dependent VAV1 degradation in T and B cells [5] Group 2: Clinical Development and Collaboration - Monte Rosa is collaborating with Novartis, which holds exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize MRT-6160, with potential milestone payments up to $2.1 billion [5] - The company is co-funding Phase 3 clinical development and will share profits and losses from MRT-6160's commercialization in the U.S. [5] Group 3: Efficacy and Mechanism - In a spontaneous autoimmune disease model, MRT-6160 administration led to reduced proteinuria, lymphadenopathy, skin lesions, autoantibody production, and organomegaly [6] - The drug was found to be equivalent or superior to existing treatments like prednisone and anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies across various disease metrics [6] - MRT-6160 effectively attenuated T and B cell effector functions, indicating its potential to block multiple pathogenic cytokines and autoantibodies [3][6]