Novartis and Monte Rosa Therapeutics have signed a global licensing agreement to advance T and B cell-modulating VAV1-directed molecular glue degraders (MGDs). The deal, which includes a US$150 M upfront payment as well as up to US$2.1 B in milestones, will provide Novartis with access to Monte Rosa’s QuEEN™ discovery engine as well as its oral VAV1-targeted degrader MRT-6160, which is currently in a Phase I study for immune-mediated conditions. The agreement marks the second big pharma deal for Monte Rosa, after it signed a US$2 B collaboration with Roche in October 2023 to develop MGDs against oncology and neurology targets.