UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition
On March 16, 2023, Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company") announced its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022. The full text of the press release issued in connection with the announcement is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure
On March 16, 2023, the Company issued a corporate presentation that it intends to utilize in various meetings with securities analysts, investors and others. A copy of the corporate presentation is furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
The information under Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2) shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
99.1 |
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Press Release issued by Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc. dated March 16, 2023. |
99.2 |
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Corporate Presentation furnished by Monte Rosa, Inc. on March 16, 2023. |
104 |
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc. |
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Date: March 16, 2023 |
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By: |
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/s/ Markus Warmuth |
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Markus Warmuth |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
Monte Rosa Therapeutics Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update
BOSTON, March 16, 2023 – Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLUE), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing novel molecular glue degrader (MGD)-based medicines, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022, and provided corporate updates.
“Last year was transformational for Monte Rosa, as we initiated a Phase 1/2 clinical trial with MRT-2359 for the treatment of MYC-driven solid tumors, and advanced our VAV1 program into lead optimization. We have now shown repeatedly that our QuEEN platform has the ability to generate selective molecular glue degraders for therapeutically relevant protein targets, and our pipeline of unique and differentiated MGDs serves as strong validation of QuEEN,” said Markus Warmuth, M.D., CEO of Monte Rosa. “We look forward to presenting the first clinical data for MRT-2359 later this year, as well as nominating multiple development candidates from our pipeline programs. Backed by a strong cash runway, we are well positioned to continue showcasing the unique capabilities of our drug discovery engine and developing new treatment options for patients with serious diseases of high unmet medical need.”
Monte Rosa’s current programs are focused on delivering therapies to targets generally considered undruggable or inadequately drugged in well-characterized biological pathways across clinical indications in oncology, inflammation, immunology, and other diseases with high unmet needs. The Company’s lead program, MRT-2359, is in Phase 1/2 clinical trials. Additional programs focused on the degradation of CDK2 for oncology, VAV1 for autoimmunity and NEK7 for inflammation are at the lead optimization stage, with multiple development candidates expected to be announced in 2023. Further discovery programs are focused on sickle cell disease-related proteins, as well as multiple currently undisclosed targets.
Business Highlights and Recent Developments
2023 Objectives and Upcoming Milestones
Upcoming Data Presentations
Title: New Drugs on the Horizon - Discovery of MRT-2359, an orally bioavailable GSPT1 molecular glue degrader, for MYC-driven cancers
Session: New Drugs on the Horizon: Part 3
Presenter: Owen Wallace, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Monte Rosa
Date and Time: Monday, April 17; 10:15 - 11:45 a.m. ET
Abstract: 3449
Presenter: Gerald Gavory, Ph.D., Senior Director of Drug Discovery and Translational Research at Monte Rosa
Date and Time: Monday, April 17; 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. ET
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2022 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses for the fourth quarter of 2022 were $24.9 million compared to $18.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, and $85.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $57.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in R&D expense was primarily due to the expansion of research and development activities, including the advancement of MRT-2359 into the clinic, pipeline advancement of the VAV1, NEK7 and CDK2 programs, increased headcount and facilities in the United States and Switzerland, and corresponding increases in laboratory-related expenses. R&D expense included non-cash lease expense and non-cash stock compensation expense of $1.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, and $4.8 million and $6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, respectively. Non-cash stock compensation expense was $1.0 million and $2.6 million for the same periods in 2021.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses for the fourth quarter of 2022 were $7.6 million compared to $5.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, and $27.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $15.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in G&A expenses were a result of increased headcount and expenses in support of the company’s growth and operations as a public company. G&A expenses included non-cash stock-based compensation of $1.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 and $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $1.0 million and $2.6 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2021.
Net Loss: Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $30.8 million compared to $23.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, and $108.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $74.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Cash Position and Financial Guidance: Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities as of December 31, 2022, were $268.1 million, compared to $351.4 million as of December 31, 2021. The company expects its cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund planned operations and capital expenditures into 2025.
About Monte Rosa
Monte Rosa Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing novel molecular glue degrader (MGD) medicines for patients living with serious diseases such as oncology, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. MGDs are small molecule protein degraders designed to employ the body’s natural mechanisms to selectively eliminate therapeutically relevant proteins. The Company’s QuEEN (Quantitative and Engineered Elimination of Neosubstrates) platform enables it to rapidly identify protein targets and design highly selective degraders by combining diverse libraries of proprietary MGDs with in-house proteomics, structural biology, AI/machine learning, and computational chemistry capabilities. For more information, visit www.monterosatx.com
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 in herein include, but are not limited to, statements about our product development activities, including our expectations around MRT-2359 and the potential significance of obtaining Fast Track Designation from the FDA, the ongoing development of our QuEEN platform and the advancement of our pipeline and the various products therein, including the timing for initiation of IND-enabling studies for VAV1 and other programs, our expectations regarding and the timing of our clinical trial for MRT-2359, our ability to initiate and the timing of initiation of additional lead optimization programs, and our expectations regarding our ability to nominate and the timing of our nominations of additional development candidates, as well as 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 the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on our development activities and operations, as well as those risks and uncertainties set forth in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, 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.
Consolidated Balance Sheets |
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(in thousands, except share amounts) |
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December 31, |
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2022 |
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2021 |
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Assets |
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Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
54,912 |
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$ |
346,071 |
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Marketable securities |
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207,914 |
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— |
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Other receivables |
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7,656 |
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— |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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4,444 |
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2,595 |
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Current restricted cash |
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960 |
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— |
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Total current assets |
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275,886 |
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348,666 |
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Property and equipment, net |
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27,075 |
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12,325 |
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Operating lease right-of-use assets |
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34,832 |
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— |
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Restricted cash, net of current |
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4,318 |
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5,338 |
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Other long-term assets |
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278 |
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— |
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Total assets |
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$ |
342,389 |
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$ |
366,329 |
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Liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable |
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$ |
7,862 |
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$ |
6,558 |
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Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
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14,580 |
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10,080 |
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Current portion of operating lease liability |
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3,127 |
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— |
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Total current liabilities |
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25,569 |
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16,638 |
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Defined benefit plan liability |
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1,533 |
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2,176 |
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Operating lease liability |
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43,874 |
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— |
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Total liabilities |
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70,976 |
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18,814 |
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Commitments and contingencies |
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Stockholders’ equity |
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Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized, 49,445,802 shares issued and 49,323,531 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022; and 500,000,000 shares authorized, 46,794,295 shares issued and 46,535,966 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021 |
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5 |
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5 |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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503,696 |
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471,566 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
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(1,752 |
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(2,021 |
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Accumulated deficit |
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(230,536 |
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(122,035 |
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Total stockholders’ equity |
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271,413 |
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347,515 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
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$ |
342,389 |
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$ |
366,329 |
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Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
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(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) |
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Three months ended |
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Year ended |
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2022 |
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2021 |
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2022 |
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2021 |
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Operating expenses: |
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Research and development |
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$ |
24,868 |
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$ |
18,130 |
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$ |
85,061 |
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$ |
57,155 |
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General and administrative |
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7,621 |
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5,257 |
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27,323 |
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15,727 |
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Total operating expenses |
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32,489 |
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23,387 |
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112,384 |
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72,882 |
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Loss from operations |
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(32,489 |
) |
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(23,387 |
) |
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(112,384 |
) |
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(72,882 |
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Other income (expense): |
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Interest income, net |
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1,990 |
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13 |
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3,764 |
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46 |
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Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net |
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(283 |
) |
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(66 |
) |
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10 |
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(162 |
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Gain on disposal of fixed assets |
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— |
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— |
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109 |
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— |
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Changes in fair value of preferred stock tranche obligations, net |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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(960 |
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Total other income (expense) |
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1,707 |
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(53 |
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3,883 |
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(1,076 |
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Net loss |
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$ |
(30,782 |
) |
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$ |
(23,440 |
) |
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$ |
(108,501 |
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$ |
(73,958 |
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Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted |
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$ |
(0.63 |
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$ |
(0.50 |
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$ |
(2.30 |
) |
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$ |
(2.96 |
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Weighted-average number of shares outstanding used in computing |
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48,893,160 |
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46,509,897 |
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47,227,370 |
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25,000,124 |
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Net loss |
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$ |
(30,782 |
) |
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$ |
(23,440 |
) |
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$ |
(108,501 |
) |
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$ |
(73,958 |
) |
Other comprehensive income (loss): |
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Provision for pension benefit obligation |
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619 |
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(71 |
) |
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718 |
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(965 |
) |
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities |
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231 |
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— |
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(449 |
) |
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— |
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Comprehensive loss |
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$ |
(29,932 |
) |
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$ |
(23,511 |
) |
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$ |
(108,232 |
) |
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$ |
(74,923 |
) |
Investors
Shai Biran, Monte Rosa Therapeutics
ir@monterosatx.com
Media
Dan Budwick, 1AB
dan@1abmedia.com
From Serendipity to Rational Design Taking Molecular Glue Degraders to New Heights | March 2023
Forward-Looking Statements These materials include 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 in herein include, but are not limited to, statements about our product development activities, including our expectations around the potential of molecular glue degraders and MRT-2359, such as for our ongoing clinical trial for MRT-2359 and the timing thereof, the ongoing development of our QuEEN platform and its potential for the discovery of additional product candidates, the advancement, and timing thereof, of our pipeline and the various products therein, our ability to initiate and the timing of initiation of additional lead optimization programs, and our expectations regarding our ability to nominate and the timing of our nominations of additional development candidates, as well as 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 the impact that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will have on our development activities and operations, as well as those risks and uncertainties set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021 filed, with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2022, and any subsequent filings, including our most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, 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. These materials remain the proprietary intellectual property of Monte Rosa Therapeutics and should not be distributed or reproduced in whole or in part without the prior written consent of Monte Rosa Therapeutics.
Monte Rosa Therapeutics - Highlights Taking molecular glue degraders (MGDs) to new heights Developing breakthrough drugs that selectively degrade therapeutically-relevant proteins previously considered undruggable AI-based degron prediction & rational design of highly selective MGDs enable a next-generation molecular glue-based targeted protein degradation platform Five disclosed programs targeting high unmet medical needs in oncology, autoimmune disease, inflammation and other indications PhI/II initiated for MRT-2359 with clinical development in MYC-driven tumors Strong financial position with $268M cash as of December 31, 2022, providing runway into 2025
Molecular Glue Degraders (MGDs) – Drugging The Undruggable Expanding target space, fostering a new generation of drugs Drugging the Druggable INHIBITOR Drugging the Undruggable MGDs Redrugging the Druggable PROTAC UNDRUGGABLE TARGETS E3 Ligase DRUGGABLE TARGETS E3 Ligase DRUGGABLE TARGETS Target Space Expanding the Degradable Proteome
Molecular Glue Degraders are a Clinically Validated Modality Differentiated target space Favorable drug-like properties Broad tissue distribution No “hook effect” (seen with PROTACS) Clinically validated Proteasome-mediated degradation of neosubstrate Ubiquitination Proteasome Ubiquitin Neosubstrates - Eg. IKZF1 MGD Eg. Lenalidomide Cereblon Degron
QuEENTM is Redefining the Rules of MGD Discovery ‘Target space is limited’ QuEENTM has vastly expanded the degradable target space across a broad range of undruggable protein classes ‘MGDs are identifed by serendipity’ QuEENTM enables target centric and systematic discovery of MGDs ‘Med Chem rules don’t apply to MGDs’ ‘MGDs are not selective’ High specificity achievable even within same protein class, families and isoforms Monte Rosa Therapeutics approach Traditional thinking AI-driven and/or structure-based design allow rational Med Chem optimization of MGDs
Portfolio
Targets Clinical Path Leveraging a Leading Drug Discovery Platform Purpose-built to discover and develop a wide landscape of therapeutically-relevant MGDs Undruggable and inadequately drugged degron-containing proteins Target non-catalytic and scaffolding functions High level of target validation, preclinically and clinically Programs with a biomarker-based patient selection strategy and a clear path to the clinic Opportunity for a rapid clinical PoC showing MOA and efficacy Address high unmet needs Drug a wide range of therapeutically-relevant proteins in oncology and beyond Create synergies within therapeutic areas Monte Rosa’s High-Value Proprietary Pipeline Patient Benefit
Monte Rosa Pipeline Rapidly advancing wholly owned MGD programs targeting undruggable proteins Oncology Inflammation Immunology Genetic diseases GSPT1 (G-loop) NSCLC, SCLC and other MYC-driven Malignancies CDK2 (new) Ovarian Cancer, Breast Cancer NEK7 (G-loop) Inflammatory Diseases VAV1 (new) Autoimmune Disease Discovery Target (Degron) Indication(s) Initial clinical data disclosure expected in 2H 2023 Multiple SCD targets SCD, β-Thalassemia Next Anticipated Milestones Ownership Undisclosed Multiple IND-Enabling Clinical Lead optimization Multiple development candidate nominations in 2023
GSPT1 Program
Targeting MYC-driven Tumors and Their Addiction to Protein Translation 1 2 3 Addiction To sustain growth, MYC-driven tumors are addicted to protein translation Dependency Therapeutic vulnerability 1 2 3 This addiction creates a dependency on the translation termination factor GSPT1 GSPT1 is a therapeutic vulnerability of MYC-driven tumors which can be targeted using molecular glue degrader (MGD)
Discovery of MRT-2359
MRT-2359 – our GSPT1-directed MGD in Clinical Development for MYC-Driven Tumors MRT-2359 is a highly selective GSPT1-directed MGD designed through our QuEENTM platform Has favorable drug like properties and is orally bioavailable Has optimal degradation kinetics to achieve preferential activity in MYC-driven cancer cells Shows preferential activity in MYC-driven cancer cells of various solid tumor lineages, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) Displays preferential in vivo activity across >70 primary human xenograft (PDX) models stratified for MYC expression levels as well as in NE lung cancer PDX models IND cleared for Phase 1/2 trial in September 2022 and patient dosing initiated in October 2022 First clinical data disclosure including PK, PD, safety and available initial efficacy data expected in 2H 2023
QuEEN Discovery Engine Facilitates the Discovery of MRT-2359 in vitro data CRBN binding, Ki 113 nM Ternary complex, EC50 < 7 nM Degradation, DC50 /Dmax (in disease relevant cell lines) 1 - 20 nM / 100% MRT-2359 induces selective GSPT1 degradation and has a favorable ADME/DMPK profile MRT-2359 is a potent GSPT1 degrader ADMET profile CYP DDIs > 30 µM hERG inhibition patch clamp EC50 > 30 µM Oral bioavailability all species ~50% GSPT1 CRBN Protein fold-change; (log2) p-value Proximity – Turbo ID Ternary complex modelling MGD
MRT-2359 Has Optimized Degradation Kinetics, Selectivity and Bioavailability Kinetic measurements of degradation reveal novel parameter for optimization GSPT1 degradation kinetics are linked to its MoA MRT-2359 achieves a high preferential effect (2.4 U) in high-MYC NSCLC MRT-2359 has been rationally designed to be in the ADMET sweet-spot Several compounds with good oral bioavailability discovered (large circles = >40% bioavailability PO) t ½ (min.) for GSPT1 degradation Differential Effect (MYC vs non-MYC-driven) slower degradation Preferential activity in MYC high cells MRT-2359 * * * Compounds with reactive metabolite flag
MRT-2359 Shows Preferential Activity in MYC-Driven NSCLC Lines MRT-2359 induces GSPT1 degradation and shows preferential activity in N-MYC high cell lines Viability GSPT1 western blot at 6 hr (N-MYC high) and 24 hr (low). 72 hr viability assay (CTG) GSPT1 degradation N-MYC overexpression sensitizes NCI-H2023 resistant cells to MRT-2359 Incucyte, 96 hr post treatment Doxycycline-inducible N-MYC model Low N-MYC NCI-H2023 NCI-H441 High N-MYC NCI-H1155 ABC-1 - Dox + Dox Wash-out NCI-H2023 Dox-inducible MYC + Dox NCI-H2023 Dox-inducible MYC - Dox NCI-H2023 Dox-inducible MYC + Dox wash-out GAPDH N-MYC - + Wash-out Dox - - + +
MRT-2359 Shows Preferential Activity in MYC High or Neuroendocrine (NE) Cancer Cell Lines Low L-MYC NCI-H2286 NCI-H196 High L-MYC NCI-H1836 NCI-H1876 72 hr viability assay (CTG) SCLC cell lines (L-MYC) Lung cancer cell lines (NE) Low NE High NE NCI-H2405 NCI-H1693 NCI-H810 NCI-H1770 Prostate cell lines (c-MYC) Low c-MYC PC3 DU-145 High c-MYC 22RV1 VCaP
Mechanism of Action of MRT-2359
Preferential inhibition of translation MYC down modulation MRT-2359 preferentially impairs protein synthesis in tumor cells with high MYC expression Three Mechanisms Driving Preferential Activity in MYC High Cancer Lines Preferential GSPT1 degradation MRT-2359 leads to rapid and deeper degradation of GSPT1 in cancer cells with high MYC expression MRT-2359 indirectly affects MYC expression and transcriptional activity
MRT-2359 Degrades GSPT1 More Rapidly in MYC-Driven Tumor Cells GSPT1 2 h 6 h 24 h GAPDH MRT-2359, μM 0 0.03 0.3 3 0 0.03 0.3 3 0 0.03 0.3 3 2 h 6 h 24 h 0 0.03 0.3 3 0 0.03 0.3 3 0 0.03 0.3 3 Low N-MYC NCI-H2023 High N-MYC NCI-H1155 Similar effects shown in additional cancer cell lines
MRT-2359 Preferentially Impairs Protein Synthesis in Tumor Cells with High MYC Expression MRT-2359 induces ribosome stalling at stop codon only in N-MYC high cell line Metagene plots Peak density Peak density MRT-2359 completely abrogates protein synthesis only in N-MYC high cell line Puromycin incorporation Stop codon Low N-MYC NCI-H2023 High N-MYC NCI-H1155
MRT-2359 induce GSPT1 degradation leading to N-MYC protein downregulation in NCI-H1155 Degradation of GSPT1 leads to downregulation of N-MYC transcriptional output in NCI-H1155 MRT-2359 Affects the MYC Pathway in N-MYC High NSCLC Cell Lines GSPT1 N-MYC 0.03 0.3 3 - 0.03 0.3 3 0.03 0.3 3 Tubulin 0 6 hr 24 hr 48hr MRT-2359 (μM) - - 0.03 0.3 3 - 0 6 hr 24 hr 48hr N-MYC not detected GSPT1 N-MYC 0.03 0.3 3 - 0.03 0.3 3 0.03 0.3 3 Tubulin MRT-2359 (μM) - - 0.03 0.3 3 - Time course RNA-seq Time course RNA-seq Transcriptional modulation of >200 MYC target genes Low N-MYC NCI-H2023 High N-MYC NCI-H1155 MYC targets gene set score MYC targets gene set score
Benchmarking of MRT-2359
MRT-2359 Shows Superior Characteristics Compared to CC-90009 Assay MRT-2359 CC-90009 in vitro Selectivity (TMT Px, WB) GSPT1, GSPT2 GSPT1, GSPT2, SALL4, FIZ1, RNF166, ODC1 CYP DDI (2B6, 1A2, 2D6,3A4, 2C8,2C9, 2C19) > 30 uM CYP2C19 @ 1.5 uM hERG (patch clamp) > 30 uM 5.3 uM CEREP a1A > 50% @ 10 uM M1/M2 > 50% @ 10 uM Caco2 (Efflux Ratio) 9 >100 Clinical Route of Administration PO IV Clinical Schedule 5 days on / 9 days off cycles 5 days on / 23 days off Stratification MYC high, neuroendocrine None reported Development status Phase I/II Phase I/II * Comparison based on internal profiling. Selectivity based on internal data as well as data from DFCI Proteomic data base https://proteomics.fischerlab.org
Superior Activity of MRT-2359 in MYC-driven Lung Cancer Cell Lines Compared to CC-90009 * Comparison based on internal profiling Low MYC High MYC Low MYC High MYC SCLC NSCLC CC-90009 EC50 (nM) MRT-2359 EC50 (nM) Low MYC High MYC Low MYC High MYC SCLC NSCLC MRT-2359 CC-90009 72 hr viability assay (CTG).
72 hr viability assay (CTG). Other therapeutic agents targeting protein translation process or machinery lack preferential activity in the MYC high lung lines MRT-2359 - Unique Preferential Activity in MYC High Lung Cancer Lines MRT-2359 Similarly for agent targeting Myc transcriptional reprogramming Initiation inhibitor (eIF4Ai, Zotatifin) Others N-MYC high/NE Others L-MYC high Elongation inhibitor (Homoharringtonine) Others N-MYC high/NE Others L-MYC high mTOR inhibitor (Rapamycin) Others N-MYC high/NE Others L-MYC high Clinical CDK9 inhibitor Others N-MYC high/NE Others L-MYC high EC50 (µM) Others N-MYC high/NE Others L-MYC high NSCLC SCLC 10 1 0.1 0.01 0.001 Cytotoxic (Doxorubicin) Others N-MYC high/NE Others L-MYC high 26 NSCLC SCLC NSCLC SCLC NSCLC SCLC NSCLC SCLC NSCLC SCLC
in vivo activity of MRT-2359
Oral dosing of MRT-2359 shows anti-tumor activity and regressions in NCI-H1155 Dose- and time-dependent degradation of GSPT1 is associated with N-MYC downregulation MRT-2359 Induces Tumor Regressions in N-MYC-driven Xenograft Models Similar observations in other high N-MYC expression models (ABC-1, NCI-H1770) Day 5 1 mg/kg 10 mg/kg MRT-2359 plasma concentration N-MYC protein level GSPT1 protein level
MRT-2359 Mouse-trial in NSCLC, SCLC and Lung NE Patient-derived Xenografts Models selected across a range of N-MYC and L-MYC mRNA expression levels or NE status were treated with Vehicle MRT-2359 10 mg/kg PO QD 3 mice for each treatment group Collection of PDX models All models have been characterized by DNA and RNA-seq SCLC NSCLC Large cell NE carcinoma or NE lung cancer N-MYC mRNA expression Log2 (TPM+1) N-MYC mRNA expression Log2 (TPM+1) L-MYC mRNA expression Log2 (TPM+1) L-MYC mRNA expression Log2 (TPM+1) Selected 20 models Selected 48 models Selected 10 models NE genes 29 Log2 FPKM Models
MRT-2359 Demonstrates Preferential Anti-tumor Activity in MYC High or Neuroendocrine (NE) Lung Cancer Patient-derived Xenografts NSCLC SCLC NE Lung Cancer L-MYC and N-MYC low L-MYC or N-MYC high MRT-2359 10 mg/kg, PO, QD Large cell NE carcinoma or NE lung cancer N-MYC and L-MYC low
MRT-2359 Clinical Development
Dose level 1 MTD or RP2D Phase 2: Expansion Cohorts Phase 1: Dose Escalation NSCLC* – high N- or L-MYC expression – low N- and L-MYC expression Backfill slots for additional patients for each dose level Backfill Dose level 2 Dose level 3 Dose level X Backfill Backfill * Efficacy guided stratification per N-/L-MYC expression Solid tumors – N- or L-MYC amplification Lung cancer (NSCLC & SCLC), DLBCL, high-grade neuroendocrine tumors, and N-/L-MYC amplified solid tumors SCLC* – high N- or L-MYC expression – low N- and L-MYC expression MRT-2359-001 Phase 1/2 - Clinical Study Design Patient dosing initiated in October 2022
Targeting L-/N-MYC Positive and Neuroendocrine Tumors with MRT-2359 Patient diagnosed incidence #s, major markets (US, EU and JP): Decision Resources Group (DRG) % population based on preliminary internal cut offs for high vs low expression applied to real world data provided by Tempus 33 Small cell lung cancer 67K patients – 70% MYC high Non-small cell lung cancer 394K patients – 15% MYC high Neuroendocrine lung cancer Neuroendocrine prostate cancer Triple-negative breast cancer Ovarian cancer Bladder cancer Endometrial cancer Current focus Future options c-MYC driven indications being further explored in preclinical translational studies
CDK2 Program
CDK2 as a Target for Selected Solid Tumors Therapeutic hypothesis: Tumors with CDK2 pathway activation by: High CyclinE1/E2 expression Loss of RB Clinical Opportunity: CDK2 driven cancers: ER positive breast cancer pre and post treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors (474K patients), ovarian cancer (64K patients), and endometrial cancer (124K patients) CDK2 is one of the key regulators of the cell cycle Patient diagnosed incidence #s, major markets (US, EU and JP): Decision Resources Group (DRG)
CDK2-directed MGD Shows Selective Degradation Over the Other CDKs NanoBiT assay (24hr) - HEK293 CDK2-directed MGD induces CDK2 degradation CDK2-directed MGDs are selective over other CDKs TMT Proteomics (24hr) – HEK293 p-value (-log10) Protein fold-change (log2) CDKs CDK2
CDK2-directed MGD Shows Biological Activity in a CDK2-dependent Cell Line CDK2 degradation results in reduction of E2F pathway proteins CDK2-directed MGD inhibits proliferation of CDK2 dependent cells TMT Proteomics (24 hr) – MDA-MB-157 p-value (-log10) Protein fold-change (log2) E2F target genes CDK2 CDC6 CDK2 degradation arrests CDK2-dependent cells in G1 phase CyQuant assay (7d) – MDA-MB-157 CDK2-directed MGD Cell cycle profile (48hr) – MDA-MB-157 G1 phase S phase G2/M phases
CDK2-directed MGDs Have a Differentiated MoA Compared to CDK2 Inhibitors CDK2 Inhibitor, PF-07104091, upregulates CCNE1 and causes pRb rebound MDA-MB-157 cells, pRb (S780) / total Rb multiplex AlphaLISA, 24h 0.032 1 3.2 10 DMSO 0.1 0.32 0.01 0.0032 0.001 0.00032 PF-07104091 (mM) CCNE1 GAPDH pRb/Rb No CCNE1 upregulation or pRbrebound in CDK2-directed MGD treated cells MDA-MB-157 cells, pRb (S780)/total Rb multiplex AlphaLISA, 24h CCNE1 GAPDH 0.003 0.4 2 10 DMSO 0.016 0.08 0.0006 MDA-MB-157 cells, 24h CDK2-directed MGD (mM) pRb/Rb
Inflammation and Immunology (I&I) Programs
Biology Multiple highly validated, undruggable targets amenable to our platform identified QuEEN platform enables exquisite selectivity required for non-oncology diseases CRBN shown to allow tunable elimination of immune target proteins VAV1 and NEK7 programs lead the way with multiple additional targets being explored QuEEN Enables Access to Undruggable Targets in Immune Pathways Medical Need Targets Additional indications Multiple Sclerosis Systemic Sclerosis Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Rheumatoid Arthritis Gout
VAV1 Program
VAV1 as a Target for Autoimmune Disease Therapeutic hypothesis: VAV1 relays signals from both the T and B cell receptor VAV1 knockout/mutant mice have dysfunctional T cells and are resistant to immunopathologies such as autoimmune disease or graft-versus-host disease Clinical Opportunity: Autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis (6.2M patients), multiple sclerosis (1.3M patients), myasthenia gravis (36K – 60K patients in US), and acute graft-versus-host disease (10K patients) VAV1 plays a key role in T-cell and B-cell development and activation Activated VAV1 B-cell T-cell BCR TCR VAV1 VAV1 Rho/Rac GTPase Calcium flux ERK-MAP kinase NF-kappa b NFAT GEF activity Non-GEF activity Immuno synapse formation CD19 LAT ZAP-70 SLP-76 Syk GADS Patient diagnosed prevalence and incidence #s, major markets (US, EU and JP): DRG; Facts about Myasthenia Gravis | MGFA accessed March 15, 2023
VAV1 is a Highly Validated Target for Attenuating T-cell Activity Multiple CRISPR screens identified VAV1 as key player in T-cell function TCR = T-cell receptor VAV1 controls several aspects of T-cell activity Schmidt et al., Science 2022 Primary human T cells
Human primary pan-T cells TCR stimulation = α-CD3/CD28 MGD-induced degradation of VAV1 results in inhibition of TCR-mediated CD69 activation, IL-2 secretion, and proliferation IL-2 secretion Proliferation CD69 activation Discovery of Highly Selective VAV1-directed MGDs Protein fold-change (log2) p-value (-log10) VAV1 VAV1 protein Degron predicted and confirmed VAV1 domain MGD CRBN Predicted degron VAV3 VAV2
VAV1-directed MGD Inhibits Disease Progression in an EAE Mouse Model MGD inhibits disease progression in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of multiple sclerosis MGD induces VAV1 degradation in PBMCs after a single oral dose in mice Additional autoimmune and immunology disease models are currently under evaluation EAE induced by MOG35-55 injection on day 0 Treatment started on day 12 Single dose 10 mg/kg PO
NEK7 Program
NEK7 (NIMA-Related Kinase 7) as a Target for Inflammatory Disease NEK7 is an essential regulator of the inflammasome Pyroptosis Gasdermin D Active NLRP3 inflammasome Cytokines secretion Pro-IL-1β Pro-IL-18 IL-18 IL-1β NEK7 NLRP3 Pro-Caspase-1 ASC N-terminal C-terminal N-terminal Caspase-1 N-terminal Therapeutic hypothesis: Diseases with over-activated or mutated NLRP3 inflammasome NEK7 licenses NLRP3 assembly in a kinase independent manner NEK7-deficient macrophages are severely impaired in IL-1β and IL-18 secretion Clinical opportunity: First-in-class NEK7 degraders for Over-activated NLRP3 inflammasome: metabolic pathologies, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory issues and neurologic disorders NLRP3 activating mutations: Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS)
NEK7-directed MGDs Modulate NLRP3 Pathway in Human Macrophages p-value (-log10) Protein fold-change (log2) TMT Proteomics (24hr) – U937 IL-1b and IL-18 release (24hr) - human macrophages LPS/MSU stimulated NEK7-directed MGD shows high selectivity NEK7-directed MGD compared to NLRP3 inhibitor IL-1b secretion IL-18 secretion NEK7-directed MGD MCC950 – NLRP3i NEK7 NEKs
Overactivation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Disease *Muckle-Wells Syndrome **familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome, #Chronic infantile neurological cutaneous and articular/neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease Over-activated NLRP3 inflammasome Pro-IL-1β Pro-IL-18 IL-18 IL-1β Liver Liver fibrosis Liver damage Brain Parkinson’s disease Alzheimer’s disease Multiple sclerosis ALS Psychiatric disorders Joints Gout Rheumatoid arthritis Intestine Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Kidney Nephrotic syndrome SLE NACHT LRR C-terminal NEK7 Activating mutations NLRP3 activating mutations NLRP3 NLRP3 mutations found in CAPS (Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes – MWS*, FCAS**, CINCA/NOMID# Syndrome) might stabilize the active form of NLRP3 Heart Myocardial infarction Diabetic cardiomyopathy Lung Asthma ARDS Metabolism Obesity Type II Diabetes Atherosclerosis
Sickle Cell Disease Program
Transcriptional Repressors as Targets for Hemoglobinopathies (SCD and β-Thalassemia) Therapeutic hypothesis: To reactivate expression of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) to compensate for mutated adult globin Clinical Opportunity: First-in-class degraders for Sickle cell disease (SCD) 180,000 patients (US and EU) >6M patients (ROW) β-thalassemia 17,000 patients (US and EU) Zinc finger domain-containing transcriptional repressors of the fetal globin genes Patient diagnosed prevalence #s: DRG; https://www.notaloneinsicklecell.com/Global-Impact-Of-SCD/#s21 accessed March 15, 2023
QuEEN Discovery Engine Quantitative and Engineered Elimination of Neosubstrates
QuEEN Discovery Engine: Unique Capabilities Enable Our Rational and Target-Centric Approach to MGDs Proprietary MGD library Protein fold-change; (log2) p-value AI engine Chemo-proteomics Proximity screening Specialized suite of in vitro assays to assess proximity and degradation in high throughput Scaled chemo-proteomics engine to explore cellular complex formation and protein degradation in high throughput Proximity screening platform Chemo-proteomics engine In silico degron & ternary complex discovery using proprietary AI-powered algorithms Diverse and growing MGD library (~35K), rationally designed using structural insights to engage diverse degrons Proprietary AI/ML engine Proprietary MGD library MGD library Complex induction
A Rich, Differentiated Target Space Across Protein Domains and Diseases Degrons have unique sequences enabling design of MGDs with unprecedented level of selectivity QuEEN has enabled the discovery of diverse degrons across various protein domains and classes Degrons Selectivity Protein fold-change; (log2) p-value Our Degron Encyclopedia contains many highly credentialed, undruggable targets Targets
Proprietary AI/ML Engines
Surface evaluation for E3 ligase PPI propensity & reprogrammability fAIceit surface complementarity connects E3 ligases to degron-containing neosubstrates Candidate neosubstrates Reprogrammable E3 ligase prioritization Proteome-wide neosubstrate identification in-silico MGD discovery Rhapsody models ternary complexes and performs virtual screens for the discovery and design of selective MGDs E3 ligase Candidate neosubstrate MGD E3 ligase E3 ligase Proprietary AI/ML Engines Enable the Discovery of Reprogrammable Ligases, Neosubstrates, and Selective MGDs Degron
Creating a Highly Diverse CRBN-directed Library
Multiple points of contact mediate formation of ternary complex Known MGDs mediate vastly different binding modes despite representing limited chemical space MGDs Reprogram the Ligase Surface Remodeled MGD-CRBN surface enables selective engagement of neosubstrates Effective ternary complex formation involves: MGD-cereblon interactions MGD-neosubstrate interactions CRBN-neosubstrate interactions MGD MGD Neosubstrate E3 ligase MGD Create library diversity to multiply binding modes Interface footprint
Increasing MGD scaffold diversity MGD library is derived from > 400 unique low molecular weight scaffolds with favorable CRBN binding affinities Warhead CRBN binding domain Core CRBN binding, degron domain MGD scaffold anatomy Increasing Novelty and Structural Diversity to Match the Degron Space Scaffold evolution Tanimoto similarity 0.6 1 0.8 0.4 Lenalidomide reference point Cereblon binding (pIC50) 5 7 Molecular weight (Da) 190 300
Expanded MGD diversity engages more degron classes MGD diversification Expanding MGD Exit Vectorology Engages Novel Degron Classes 400+ Scaffolds Side- chains PPI domain Chemical fingerprints of MGD hits Target A Target B Target C Target D Current library size ~35K MGDs, continuing to expand High structural diversity and novelty Design focused on optimal drug-like properties Library characteristics
Summary
World-Class Leadership Deep expertise in molecular glue discovery, drug development and Precision Medicine Jullian Jones, Ph.D., J.D., MBA Chief Business Officer Silvia Buonamici, Ph.D. SVP, Drug Discovery Biology Filip Janku, M.D., Ph.D. Chief Medical Officer Markus Warmuth, M.D. Chief Executive Officer Ajim Tamboli, CFA Chief Financial Officer John Castle, Ph.D. Chief Data Scientist Sharon Townson, Ph.D. Chief Technology Officer Owen Wallace, Ph.D. Chief Scientific Officer Phil Nickson, Ph.D., J.D. Head, Legal Operations Jennifer Champoux, Chief People & Operations Officer Magnus Walter SVP, Chemical Sciences and Process Development
Monte Rosa Therapeutics From serendipity to rational design of MGDs Proprietary, target-centric drug discovery platform enabling rational design, and anticipated rapid development, of molecular glue-based degraders targeting the undruggable proteome in oncology and non-oncology diseases Extensive and compelling pre-clinical in vivo data for GSPT1 program, demonstrating potent anti-tumor activity in MYC-driven tumor models with development candidate MRT-2359 Molecular glue-based targeted protein degradation platform developing breakthrough therapeutics that selectively degrade disease-causing proteins Ongoing Phase 1/2 trial with MRT-2359 for the treatment of MYC-driven tumors including lung cancer patients Initial platform focus on cereblon-mediated protein degradation with hundreds of potential targets to address; potential to reprogram other E3 ligases to access more of the undruggable proteome through other degrons CDK2, NEK7, and VAV1 programs in lead optimization with additional programs at various stages of discovery
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