On June 27, 2024 Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GLUE), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel molecular glue degrader (MGD)-based medicines, reported progress updates for its two lead programs, MRT-2359, an MGD being developed for MYC-driven solid tumors, and MRT-6160, a VAV1-directed MGD in development for systemic and neurological autoimmune diseases (Press release, Monte Rosa Therapeutics, JUN 27, 2024, View Source [SID1234644571]).
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"We are pleased with the progress of our two lead programs," said Markus Warmuth, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Monte Rosa Therapeutics. "We continue to successfully recruit and advance our ongoing MRT-2359 Phase 1/2 study. We are encouraged by our initial safety and pharmacodynamic assessment of the 0.5 mg dose using the 21 days on, 7 days off regimen and, as such, we consider the 0.5mg dose with the 21 days on, 7 days off regimen a potential recommended Phase 2 dose. Importantly, this regimen allows for dosing of MRT-2359 twice as frequently per cycle compared to the 5 days on, 9 days off regimen previously explored in our study. Based on the favorable safety assessment for the 0.5 mg dose, we initiated a 0.75 mg, 21 days on, 7 days off dose cohort, which is currently ongoing. In the second half of the year, we expect to make a determination of our definitive recommended Phase 2 dose, share updated clinical efficacy and safety results from the dose escalation arm of the trial, and initiate enrollment of our Phase 2 expansion cohorts."
Dr. Warmuth continued, "Moreover, today we are excited to announce the submission of our Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for MRT-6160, a highly selective and orally bioavailable MGD directed against VAV1. This milestone positions us to soon have our second highly promising program in the clinic, pending FDA clearance. We believe our IND is the first for a rationally designed MGD for a non-oncology indication, representing a significant step forward for Monte Rosa and the protein degradation field. MRT-6160 has been shown to potently and selectively degrade VAV1 in human T and B cells and has demonstrated encouraging results in multiple preclinical studies of autoimmune disease, including models of inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. We expect to initiate a Phase 1 single ascending dose / multiple ascending dose (SAD/MAD) study later this summer and anticipate sharing initial clinical data for our MRT-6160 program in Q1 2025."
Monte Rosa continues to evaluate MRT-2359 in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in MYC-driven solid tumors (NCT05546268). The Company has completed enrollment of the 0.5 mg, 21 days on, 7 days off dose escalation cohort, and tolerability has been favorable with an AE profile similar to what has been observed using the 5 days on, 9 days off schedule at the same dose level. Enrollment is ongoing in the 0.75 mg, 21 days on, 7 days off dose escalation cohort. The Company is evaluating possible Phase 2 expansion cohorts, and anticipates utilizing a two-stage design to enroll patients to evaluate responses in each selected expansion cohort before proceeding with further enrollment.
MRT-6160 is on track for initiation of a Phase 1 SAD/MAD study this summer with Phase 1 clinical data expected in Q1 2025. Monte Rosa expects to subsequently initiate proof-of-concept (POC) studies in autoimmune/inflammatory diseases including ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis, with additional potential POC studies in dermatology, rheumatology, and neurology indications. Preclinical efficacy data in multiple models of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and preclinical GLP toxicology data suggest the potential for a highly differentiated profile in T-cell, T/B-cell, and Th17-mediated systemic and neurologic autoimmune diseases.
About MRT-2359
MRT-2359 is a potent, highly selective, and orally bioavailable investigational molecular glue degrader (MGD) that induces the interaction between the E3 ubiquitin ligase component cereblon and the translation termination factor GSPT1, leading to the targeted degradation of GSPT1 protein. The MYC transcription factors (c‑MYC, L-MYC and N-MYC) are well-established drivers of human cancers that maintain high levels of protein translation, which is critical for uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumor growth. Preclinical studies have shown this addiction to MYC-induced protein translation creates a dependency on GSPT1. By inducing degradation of GSPT1, MRT-2359 is designed to exploit this vulnerability, disrupting the protein synthesis machinery, leading to anti-tumor activity in MYC-driven tumors.
About MRT-6160
MRT-6160 is a potent, highly selective, and orally bioavailable investigational molecular glue degrader of VAV1, which in preclinical studies has shown deep degradation of its target with no detectable effects on other proteins. VAV1, a Rho-family guanine nucleotide exchange factor, is a key signaling protein downstream of both the T- and B-cell receptors. VAV1 expression is restricted to blood and immune cells, including T and B cells. Preclinical studies have shown that targeted degradation of VAV1 protein via an MGD modulates both T- and B-cell receptor-mediated activity. This modulation is evident both in vitro and in vivo, demonstrated by a significant decrease in cytokine secretion, proteins vital for maintaining autoimmune diseases. Moreover, 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 inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and dermatological disorders. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that MRT-6160 can inhibit disease progression in several in vivo autoimmunity models.