Unnatural Products, Inc. (UNP), a biotechnology company focused on developing orally delivered macrocyclic peptides for hard-to-drug targets, has entered into a research collaboration and licensing agreement with Novartis on an undisclosed therapeutic program.
The partnership combines UNP’s AI-enhanced macrocycle discovery platform with Novartis’ global development and commercialization infrastructure. The companies aim to generate next-generation therapeutics with potential applications in cardiovascular disease, an area that continues to present significant unmet medical needs worldwide.
Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will assume responsibility for Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies and all subsequent clinical development, manufacturing and global commercialization of any products that emerge from the collaboration. This structure allows UNP to focus on advancing its discovery capabilities while leveraging Novartis’ established expertise in late-stage development and global market access.
Macrocyclic peptides are gaining attention as a promising therapeutic class because they combine the high selectivity and potency typically associated with biologics with the flexibility and drug-like properties of small molecules. This hybrid profile enables them to engage biological targets that have traditionally been considered “undruggable,” including certain protein–protein interactions that are difficult to modulate with conventional small molecules or antibodies.
UNP’s proprietary discovery engine integrates artificial intelligence-guided molecular design, massively parallel chemical synthesis and direct-to-biology screening. The platform is designed to rapidly generate highly potent and selective macrocycles suitable for both oral and injectable administration, potentially broadening patient access and treatment flexibility.
Cameron Pye, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of UNP, said the collaboration validates the strength of the company’s platform and highlights its ability to produce differentiated macrocyclic therapeutics aimed at high-value biological targets in chronic diseases. He noted that Novartis has established a strong track record in cardiovascular innovation and expressed optimism about advancing medicines that could meaningfully improve patient outcomes.
Muneto Mogi, Global Head of Global Discovery Chemistry, Biomedical Research at Novartis, said advances in macrocyclic chemistry are creating new opportunities in drug discovery by enabling engagement of targets at effective doses with pharmacological versatility not possible with many traditional approaches. He added that the partnership is intended to accelerate the development of therapies with strong scientific and clinical potential.
Financially, the agreement includes up to $100 million in upfront and pre-IND milestone payments to UNP, as well as up to $1.7 billion in potential development, regulatory and commercial milestones. UNP is also eligible to receive tiered royalties ranging from the mid-single digits to the low double digits on annual net sales.
The collaboration underscores growing industry interest in AI-enabled drug discovery platforms and innovative molecular formats designed to tackle previously inaccessible disease targets.