By Amira McKee
Unnatural Products unveiled a deal with Novartis worth up to $1.8 billion to develop macrocyclic peptide therapeutics.
The biotechnology company developing macrocyclic peptides to address previously undruggable targets said Wednesday that it had entered a research collaboration and licensing agreement with Novartis for an undisclosed program.
The collaboration joins Unnatural Products's AI-enhanced macrocycle discovery engine and Novartis' development and commercialization capabilities to create therapeutics with potential applications for cardiovascular disease, the company said.
Under the agreement, Unnatural Products will receive up to $100 million in upfront and pre-investigational new drug milestone payments. In addition, the company may receive up to $1.7 billion in development, regulatory and commercial milestones.
Novartis will take responsibility for IND-enabling studies and all subsequent clinical development, manufacturing and global commercialization of products emerging from the collaboration, Unnatural Products said.
"Novartis has built a highly respected engine in cardiovascular innovation, and we are excited to collaborate with them to unlock the full therapeutic potential of this asset," Unnatural Products Chief Executive Cameron Pye said.
Write to Amira McKee at amira.mckee@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 18, 2026 10:47 ET (15:47 GMT)
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