BOSTON - Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:GLUE), a biotech company specializing in the development of molecular glue degrader (MGD) medicines, has unveiled its latest development candidate, MRT-8102. The NEK7-directed MGD is designed to address inflammatory diseases by targeting interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and the NLRP3 inflammasome, key factors in the body's inflammatory response.
MRT-8102, the first candidate to emerge from the company’s NEK7 program, has shown promise in preclinical non-human primate studies, where it demonstrated potent and selective degradation of NEK7, leading to reduced IL-1β levels. The company believes the candidate has potential applications across various inflammatory conditions, such as gout and pericarditis, as well as cardiovascular diseases.
The announcement comes as Monte Rosa continues its IND-enabling studies, with plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application in Q1 2025. The company's CEO, Markus Warmuth, M.D., expressed optimism about the candidate's prospects, citing its potential to be developed for multiple diseases, including CNS disorders like Parkinson’s disease, due to its ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier.
The NLRP3 inflammasome is a protein complex that plays a crucial role in the innate immune system and inflammation. Abnormal activation of this inflammasome and the resulting release of IL-1β have been implicated in a variety of diseases, including neurological and metabolic disorders.
Monte Rosa is also progressing with another MGD, MRT-6160, targeting VAV1, which is moving toward an IND filing in the first half of this year. The company's QuEEN™ discovery engine, which combines AI, structural biology, and proteomics, supports the development of these candidates.
This news is based on a press release statement from Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc. The company's forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and there is no guarantee that the future results or developments anticipated by the company will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the company or its business or operations.
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