Monte Rosa Therapeutics Announces Milestone Achievement Associated with Initiation of Phase 2 Clinical Study for VAV1-directed Molecular Glue Degrader MRT-6160 (DDY391)

Rhea-AI Summary

Monte Rosa Therapeutics (GLUE) announced that collaborator Novartis has initiated a Phase 2 clinical study of VAV1-directed molecular glue degrader MRT-6160 (DDY391) in participants with Sjögren’s disease, triggering a $50 million milestone payment to Monte Rosa.

The Phase 2a/b randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial will evaluate up to 52 weeks of MRT-6160 treatment to assess efficacy, safety and tolerability and to support Phase 3 dose selection. The study, titled “A Phase 2a/b Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of DDY391 in Participants With Sjögren's Disease,” is listed as NCT07737743 on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Under a global exclusive license, Novartis holds worldwide rights and funds Phase 2 development, while Monte Rosa remains eligible for up to $2.1 billion in development, regulatory and sales milestones and a 30% share of U.S. profits and losses for MRT-6160, plus tiered ex-U.S. royalties.

Positive

• $50 million milestone payment to Monte Rosa upon first patient visit in Phase 2
• Eligibility for up to $2.1 billion in development, regulatory and sales milestones
• Novartis funds and conducts Phase 2 studies, reducing Monte Rosa’s near-term R&D burden
• Monte Rosa to share 30% of U.S. profits and losses on MRT-6160 and earn tiered ex-U.S. royalties

Negative

• None.

News Explained

The release adds that additional studies of MRT-6160 are expected and could qualify Monte Rosa for further Phase 2 study-initiation milestones beyond the $50 million tied to the current study.

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Key Figures

Milestone payment: $50 million Potential milestones: Up to $2.1 billion U.S. profit and loss share: 30% +2 more

Milestone payment

$50 million

Upon the first patient visit in the Phase 2 study

Potential milestones

Up to $2.1 billion

Development, regulatory, and sales milestones under the Novartis agreement

U.S. profit and loss share

30%

Monte Rosa share associated with U.S. MRT-6160 manufacturing and commercialization

Treatment duration

Up to 52 weeks

Phase 2a/b Sjögren’s disease study

VAV1 degradation

Greater than 90%

Phase 1 study in peripheral blood T cells after single and multiple-dose administration

Key Terms

molecular glue degrader, vav1-directed, double-blind, placebo-controlled

4 terms

molecular glue degrader technical

"developing novel molecular glue degrader (MGD)-based medicines"

A molecular glue degrader is a small drug-like molecule that acts like a tiny adhesive, sticking a specific disease-related protein to the cell’s natural disposal machinery so the protein is destroyed rather than merely blocked. Investors watch these compounds because they can turn previously untreatable targets into removable liabilities, potentially creating breakthrough therapies, shifting development risk, and offering strong commercial upside if clinical results and regulatory approval follow.

vav1-directed medical

"the VAV1-directed MGD MRT-6160 (DDY391)"

An agent, therapy, or diagnostic designed to recognize, bind to, or modify the activity of VAV1—a protein involved in cell signaling that helps immune cells grow and move. Saying something is “VAV1-directed” signals the drug or test specifically targets that protein as its mechanism of action; like a key made for a particular lock, it narrows the biological focus. For investors, the term identifies the scientific target that drives a program’s potential benefits, patient selection, and regulatory or safety considerations.

double-blind medical

"randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial"

A double-blind process means that neither the people conducting an activity nor the people involved know certain key details, such as who is receiving a treatment or a placebo. This approach helps prevent bias from influencing the results, making the outcome more trustworthy. For investors, it ensures that decisions or judgments are based on unbiased information rather than preconceived opinions or expectations.

placebo-controlled medical

"double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial"

"Placebo-controlled" describes a testing method where one group receives the actual treatment or intervention, while another group receives a harmless, inactive version called a placebo. This approach helps determine whether the real treatment has genuine effects beyond psychological expectations. For investors, understanding this ensures confidence that reported benefits are real and not influenced by bias or false perceptions.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Phase 2 study to be conducted in participants with Sjögren’s disease

Novartis conducting study under global exclusive development and commercialization license agreement with Monte Rosa

Monte Rosa to receive milestone payment based on first patient visit of Phase 2 clinical study

Additional studies expected to evaluate the potential of MRT-6160 (DDY391) across immune-mediated diseases; Monte Rosa eligible for additional Phase 2 study initiation milestones

BOSTON, Sept. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GLUE), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel molecular glue degrader (MGD)-based medicines, today announced that its collaborator Novartis has initiated a Phase 2 clinical study for the VAV1-directed MGD MRT-6160 (DDY391) in people living with Sjögren’s disease (SjD), the second most prevalent rheumatic autoimmune disease¹. This study is the first of several studies expected for MRT-6160 (DDY391) and part of a global exclusive development and commercialization license agreement between Monte Rosa and Novartis to advance VAV1 MGDs including MRT-6160 (DDY391). In connection with the first patient visit of the study, Monte Rosa will receive a $50 million milestone payment from Novartis.

“We are very pleased that Novartis is advancing MRT-6160 into clinical development for Sjögren’s disease by launching a global Phase 2 study,” said Markus Warmuth, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Monte Rosa Therapeutics. “Sjögren’s disease is not only an area of high unmet medical need, but also an indication driven by both pathogenic autoimmune T cells and B cells and so well-aligned with the biological effects of a VAV1-directed MGD. We believe this milestone reflects the strong progress being made in the program, and further validates the potential of our QuEEN™ product engine to address disease-driving proteins that have long been considered undruggable. We look forward to the continued development of MRT-6160, and to building on the momentum across our partnered and wholly owned pipeline as we work to bring meaningful new therapeutic options to patients.”

This study is a Phase 2a/b, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial to evaluate efficacy, safety, and tolerability of up to 52 weeks of treatment with MRT-6160 (DDY391) in participants with Sjögren's disease, to support dose selection for Phase 3. More information about the study, “A Phase 2a/b Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of DDY391 in Participants With Sjögren's Disease,” can be found at ClinicalTrials.gov, study identifier: NCT07737743.

MRT-6160 (DDY391) is a potent, highly selective, and orally bioavailable investigational molecular glue degrader of VAV1, a key signaling protein downstream of both the T- and B-cell receptors. Available preclinical and clinical data support the potential of MRT-6160 (DDY391) to address multiple immune-mediated diseases. In a Phase 1 study, MRT-6160 (DDY391) demonstrated sustained, dose-dependent VAV1 degradation of greater than 90% in peripheral blood T cells after single and multiple-dose administration, as well as suppression of key inflammatory biomarkers. The administration of MRT-6160 (DDY391) was generally well tolerated, with no serious adverse effects observed. 

About Sjögren’s Disease
Sjögren’s disease is a serious, progressive, autoimmune disease that affects approximately 0.25% of the population² and impacts multiple organs, causing a wide spectrum of symptoms such as dryness, fatigue, pain, and an increased risk of lymphoma, which can carry a significant burden and impact on quality of life^3,4. Its heterogeneous nature often causes it to go unrecognized or misdiagnosed⁵. It is estimated that 50% of people with Sjögren’s disease are undiagnosed⁶.

Novartis Agreement Details
Monte Rosa has a global exclusive development and commercialization license agreement with Novartis to advance VAV1-directed MGDs, including MRT-6160. Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis has exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize MRT-6160 and other VAV1 MGDs and is responsible for all clinical development and commercialization, starting with Phase 2 clinical studies. Monte Rosa is eligible to receive up to $2.1 billion in development, regulatory, and sales milestones, beginning upon initiation of Phase 2 studies. Novartis is responsible for conducting and funding Phase 2 studies. Monte Rosa will co-fund any Phase 3 clinical development and will share 30% of any profits and losses associated with the manufacturing and commercialization of MRT-6160 in the U.S., and is also eligible for tiered royalties on ex-U.S. net sales.

About Monte Rosa
Monte Rosa Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing highly selective molecular glue degrader (MGD) medicines for patients living with serious diseases. MGDs are small molecule protein degraders that have the potential to treat many diseases that other modalities, including other degraders, cannot. Monte Rosa’s QuEEN™ (Quantitative and Engineered Elimination of Neosubstrates) discovery engine combines AI-guided chemistry, diverse chemical libraries, structural biology, and proteomics to rationally design MGDs with unprecedented selectivity. Monte Rosa has developed the industry’s leading pipeline of first-in-class and only-in-class MGDs, spanning autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, oncology, and beyond, with three programs in the clinic. Monte Rosa has ongoing collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies in the areas of immunology, oncology, and neurology. For more information, visit www.monterosatx.com.

References

1. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Health Care Services; Committee on Selected Immune Disorders and Disability. Sjögren’s Disease/Syndrome. [Last accessed: December 2025] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK584486/
2. Conrad N, et al. Incidence, prevalence, and co-occurrence of autoimmune disorders over time and by age, sex, and socioeconomic status: a population-based cohort study of 22 million individuals in the UK. Lancet. 2023;401(10391):1878–1890
3. Negrini S, et al. Sjögren’s syndrome: a systemic autoimmune disease. Clin Exp Med. 2022; 22(1):9–25 
4. Mariette X, Criswell LA. Primary Sjögren’s symptoms. N Engl J Med. 2018;378:931–939
5. Gairy K, et al. Burden of illness among subgroups of patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome and systemic involvement. Rheumatology. 2021; 60(4):1871–188
6. Narváez J, et al. Prevalence of Sjögren’s syndrome in the general adult population in Spain: estimating the proportion of undiagnosed cases. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):10627

Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes express and implied “forward-looking statements,” including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and in some cases, can be identified by terms such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “objective,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future. Forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements about the ongoing development of our VAV1-directed MGD, referred to as DDY391 (formerly designated MRT-6160), including the Phase 2 clinical study in participants with Sjögren’s disease being conducted by Novartis, our expectations regarding the potential of DDY391 to address multiple immune-mediated diseases, statements regarding additional Phase 2 studies expected to evaluate DDY391 across immune-mediated diseases and associated milestone payments, statements about Monte Rosa’s eligibility to receive milestone payments from Novartis, including upon initiation of Phase 2 studies, and up to $2.1 billion in development, regulatory, and sales milestones, statements regarding the global exclusive development and commercialization license agreement with Novartis, statements about the potential of our QuEEN™ discovery engine to address disease-driving proteins that have long been considered undruggable, statements around the advancement and application of our pipeline, including our partnered and wholly owned programs, our ability to optimize collaborations with industry partners on our development programs, and our expectations of success for our programs and the strength of our financial position, among others. By their nature, these statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those risks and uncertainties set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2026, and any subsequent filings, that could cause actual results, performance or achievement to differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although our management believes that the expectations reflected in our statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, performance, or events and circumstances described in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Recipients are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are made and should not be construed as statements of fact. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, any future presentations, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Certain information contained in these materials and any statements made orally during any presentation of these materials that relate to the materials or are based on studies, publications, surveys and other data obtained from third-party sources and our own internal estimates and research. While we believe these third-party studies, publications, surveys and other data to be reliable as of the date of these materials, we have not independently verified, and make no representations as to the adequacy, fairness, accuracy or completeness of, any information obtained from third-party sources. In addition, no independent source has evaluated the reasonableness or accuracy of our internal estimates or research and no reliance should be made on any information or statements made in these materials relating to or based on such internal estimates and research.

Investors
Andrew Funderburk
ir@monterosatx.com

Media
Cory Tromblee, Scient PR
media@monterosatx.com

FAQ

What is the design and objective of the Phase 2 study for MRT-6160 (DDY391)?

The study is a Phase 2a/b, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial in participants with Sjögren’s disease, evaluating up to 52 weeks of MRT-6160 (DDY391) treatment. It is designed to assess efficacy, safety and tolerability and to support dose selection for Phase 3. The study is registered as NCT07737743 on ClinicalTrials.gov.

What prior clinical data exist for MRT-6160 (DDY391)?

In a Phase 1 study, MRT-6160 (DDY391) showed sustained, dose-dependent degradation of more than 90% of VAV1 in peripheral blood T cells after single and multiple doses, along with suppression of key inflammatory biomarkers. Administration was generally well tolerated, and no serious adverse effects were observed.

How are development and commercialization responsibilities for MRT-6160 divided between Novartis and Monte Rosa?

Under the global exclusive license, Novartis has exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize MRT-6160 and other VAV1 MGDs and is responsible for all clinical development and commercialization starting with Phase 2. Monte Rosa will co-fund any Phase 3 clinical development and will share 30% of profits and losses related to manufacturing and commercialization of MRT-6160 in the U.S., and is eligible for tiered royalties on ex-U.S. net sales.

Why is Sjögren’s disease a target indication for MRT-6160?

Sjögren’s disease is described as a serious, progressive autoimmune disease affecting about 0.25% of the population, involving multiple organs and symptoms such as dryness, fatigue, pain, and increased lymphoma risk. The company states that the disease is driven by both pathogenic autoimmune T and B cells, which it views as well aligned with the biological effects of a VAV1-directed molecular glue degrader like MRT-6160.