Bayer has entered a strategic collaboration with MOMA Therapeutics to advance a small molecule oncology programme, leveraging the latter’s KNOMATIC platform.

The partnership aims to target dynamic proteins, a novel class of therapeutic targets in cancer treatment.

Under the terms of the option and exclusive licence agreement, Bayer will oversee the programme’s progression through further preclinical development and potential commercialisation.

The collaboration grants Bayer access to the programme and to the results generated from KNOMATIC platform.

The platform combines structural insights, advanced hit-finding technologies and computational lead optimisation to speed up the discovery of therapeutics that effectively target dynamic proteins.

These proteins are pivotal in disease progression and represent an underexplored opportunity for creating novel cancer therapies through a small molecule approach.

MOMA is entitled to receive an upfront payment as well as a collaboration fee from Bayer.

Bayer could pay additional payments on MOMA achieving specific discovery, development and commercial milestones.

The agreement also includes tiered royalty payments on net product sales for MOMA.

The companies did not disclose the financial details of the collaboration.

Bayer pharmaceuticals division business development and licensing head Juergen Eckhardt said: “We are excited to partner with MOMA Therapeutics to explore the untapped potential of highly dynamic proteins in oncology.

“This collaboration reinforces Bayer’s commitment to precision medicine while enhancing our ability to address significant unmet medical needs in cancer treatment. By leveraging MOMA’s cutting-edge technologies and our expertise, we aim to accelerate the development of innovative therapies that can make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.”

In August 2024, Bayer teamed up with startup biotech NextRNA Therapeutics to develop small molecules targeting long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in oncology.