Roche has signed a deal with Atavistik Bio to discover allosteric small-molecule drugs for cardiometabolic (CVRM) diseases. The agreement is worth up to $2 billion, and it is structured so that most of that money is paid out only if the collaboration hits development and commercial milestones.
Atavistik Bio's platform is built around allosteric regulation, meaning it targets sites on proteins that are separate from the active site. This can allow for more nuanced control of protein function. The company, which has previously worked in hematology, will now apply that approach to cardiometabolic targets under the Roche deal.
The deal gives Roche access to a novel discovery engine while limiting its upfront exposure. For Atavistik, it provides a large potential payoff tied to successful drug development. The collaboration underscores interest in allosteric small molecules as a way to address complex metabolic diseases.