Unnatural Products Inc. (UNP), a biotech developing orally-delivered macrocyclic peptides to address previously undruggable targets, has entered a research collaboration and licensing agreement with Novartis on an undisclosed program.

The collaboration brings together UNP’s AI-enhanced macrocycle platform and Novartis’ global development and commercialization capabilities to generate next-generation therapeutics with potential applications in the cardiovascular disease area.

Novartis will assume responsibility for IND-enabling studies and all subsequent clinical development, manufacturing, and global commercialization of products emerging from the collaboration.

Under the terms of the agreement, UNP will receive up to $100 million in upfront and pre-IND milestone payments and up to $1.7 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestones. UNP is also eligible to receive tiered royalties mid-single up to low double-digits on annual net sales.

“This collaboration validates the strength of our program and highlights the ability of UNP’s platform to deliver differentiated macrocyclic therapeutics for high-value biological targets for chronic diseases with high unmet need,” said Cameron Pye, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder, Unnatural Products. “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. Together, we have the opportunity to advance medicines that could meaningfully improve patient lives across various diseases.”

Muneto Mogi, Global Head of Global Discovery Chemistry, Biomedical Research, Novartis, said, “We believe this collaboration positions both organizations to accelerate the development of new therapies with strong scientific and clinical potential. We look forward to working together to bring innovative medicines to patients.”