Key Takeaways
- UNP and argenx enter a partnership for developing macrocyclic peptides, with potential earnings of up to US$1.5bn.
- Macrocyclic peptides combine benefits of biologics and small molecules to target previously undruggable proteins.
- UNP is expanding its drug pipeline for oncology, immunology, and rare diseases, building on prior success with Merck.
Partnership Overview
Under a new agreement, Unnatural Products (UNP) will collaborate with argenx to develop macrocyclic peptides, a novel class of therapeutics. This partnership will provide UNP with immediate payments and research funding, with potential total earnings reaching approximately US$1.5 billion through milestones and royalties.
The collaboration is centered on utilizing UNP’s innovative drug discovery platform to create potent, selective, and orally available macrocyclic peptides. These peptides aim to target multiple, previously undruggable areas identified by argenx. UNP will advance research and development until the investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies phase, after which argenx holds exclusive rights to develop and commercialize the resulting products across various indications.
Macrocyclic peptides offer a promising new avenue in drug development, combining the precision typical of biologics with the oral dosing convenience of small molecules. This technology enables access to challenging intracellular protein targets that have been difficult to engage with traditional small molecules or biologics. UNP’s platform employs AI-driven design and high-throughput synthesis methods to rapidly generate these macrocyclic compounds.
Cameron Pye, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder of UNP, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Macrocyclic peptides are opening up a new modality, one that merges the best attributes of biologics and small molecules to drug targets that were once considered out of reach.” He acknowledged argenx’s reputation for innovation in the immunology sector and emphasized the potential for advancing macrocyclic peptide therapeutics to benefit patients suffering from immune disorders.
UNP’s technology allows for the swift production of drug-like macrocycles that possess antibody-like specificity for challenging targets. The company is focused on creating an extensive pipeline of oral medications targeting oncology, immunology, and rare diseases.
Earlier in January 2024, UNP had signed a significant biobucks deal worth US$220 million with Merck & Co. (also known as MSD in Europe), which recognized macrocyclic peptides as a groundbreaking advancement in drug discovery. However, competition is rising; for instance, ThirdLaw Molecular Inc. unveiled a competing technology called Spiroligomers, showcasing similar characteristics to macrocycles at SLAS Europe 2025 in Hamburg.
This strategic collaboration positions UNP and argenx at the forefront of an emerging and potentially transformative area of pharmaceutical development.
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