Bayer Expands Precision Oncology Portfolio with MOMA Therapeutics' KNOMATIC Platform

Bayer and MOMA Therapeutics have announced a new collaboration aimed at advancing precision cancer treatments. The partnership will focus on developing a high-value small molecule oncology program using MOMA's proprietary KNOMATIC™ platform, further enriching Bayer's precision oncology portfolio. Under the terms of the agreement, Bayer will oversee preclinical, development, and commercialization efforts.
Dynamic proteins represent a promising yet underexplored area in drug development. Traditional treatments often struggle to target these highly adaptive proteins, but MOMA's KNOMATIC™ platform leverages sophisticated techniques to address this challenge. The platform integrates structural insights, hit-finding technologies, and computational tools to accelerate the discovery and optimization of therapeutic candidates, aiming to deliver more effective cancer therapies.

“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,” said Dr. Juergen Eckhardt, Head of Business Development and Licensing at Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division.

KNOMATIC™ Platform: A Cutting-Edge Approach

The KNOMATIC™ platform lies at the heart of this collaboration. It is specifically designed to exploit the unique properties of dynamic proteins, whose functions depend on finely tuned changes in structure. By focusing on genetically validated targets, the platform aims to translate scientific discoveries into clinical outcomes.

MOMA's technology could potentially open new avenues in cancer therapy, allowing for the design of small molecules that target dynamic proteins more effectively. As the platform integrates multiple drug discovery techniques, it offers a comprehensive approach to identifying and refining drug candidates, which could lead to breakthroughs in precision oncology.

Dr. Asit Parikh, CEO of MOMA Therapeutics, highlighted the significance of the collaboration: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Bayer to drug this disease-relevant target. Following our recent announcement highlighting the advancement of our wholly owned Pol theta and Werner programs, Bayer’s interest in this collaboration further highlights the power of our KNOMATIC™ platform and MOMA’s openness to creating win-win partnerships.”

Financial Details and Agreement Terms

While the specific financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, the agreement includes an upfront payment and a collaboration fee to MOMA, with the potential for additional milestone-based payments. These payments could be triggered by key developments in the research, clinical, and commercial phases of the program. MOMA is also eligible for tiered royalties on future net sales of any resulting products.

Under the agreement, Bayer gains exclusive rights to the small molecule program, along with access to data and insights generated by the KNOMATIC™ platform. The strategic alliance positions Bayer to expand its oncology pipeline and strengthen its role in precision medicine.