Novartis, UNP Launch Up-to-$1.8B+ Macrocyclic Peptide Partnership

Collaboration aims to develop next-generation cardiovascular disease therapeutics using UNP's AI-guided macrocyclic peptide platform.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Novartis and Unnatural Products (UNP) have signed a research collaboration and licensing agreement to develop next-generation cardiovascular disease therapeutics using UNP's AI-guided macrocyclic peptide platform. The partnership could generate more than $1.8 billion for the Santa Cruz, CA-based biotech company.

Why it matters

The collaboration aims to unlock the therapeutic potential of macrocyclic peptides, which offer an effective new class of drugs that combine the selectivity and potency of biologics with the flexibility and drug-like properties of small molecules. By marrying UNP's platform with Novartis' global development and commercialization capabilities, the partnership could lead to innovative new treatments for cardiovascular diseases with high unmet medical needs.

The details

Under the agreement, Novartis will apply UNP's AI-guided macrocyclic peptide platform to develop next-generation cardiovascular disease therapeutics. UNP's platform is an integrated discovery engine that rapidly generates highly potent and selective oral and injectable macrocycles by joining AI-guided molecular design, 'massively' parallel synthesis, and direct-to-biology screening. Novartis will oversee investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies and all subsequent clinical development, manufacturing, and global commercialization of products emerging from the collaboration.

  • The collaboration was announced on February 18, 2026.

The players

Novartis

A global pharmaceutical company that has built a highly respected engine in cardiovascular innovation.

Unnatural Products (UNP)

A Santa Cruz, CA-based biotech company that has developed an AI-guided macrocyclic peptide platform for drug discovery.

Muneto Mogi

Novartis' global head of discovery chemistry based at the company's Biomedical Research unit.

Cameron Pye

CEO and co-founder of UNP.

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What they’re saying

“Advances in macrocyclic chemistry are opening entirely new avenues in drug discovery, allowing us to engage targets at a dose and with a pharmacological versatility not possible with many other approaches. We believe this collaboration positions both organizations to accelerate the development of new therapies with strong scientific and clinical potential. We look forward to working together to bring innovative medicines to patients.”

— Muneto Mogi, Global Head of Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research unit (Novartis)

“This collaboration validates the strength of our program and highlights the ability of UNP's platform to deliver differentiated macrocyclic therapeutics for high-value biological targets for chronic diseases with high unmet need. Novartis has built a highly respected engine in cardiovascular innovation, and we are excited to collaborate with them to unlock the full therapeutic potential of this asset. Together, we have the opportunity to advance medicines that could meaningfully improve patient lives across various diseases.”

— Cameron Pye, CEO and Co-founder, UNP (Novartis)

What’s next

The partnership will begin with an undisclosed program, with Novartis overseeing IND-enabling studies and all subsequent clinical development, manufacturing, and global commercialization of products emerging from the collaboration.

The takeaway

This collaboration leverages UNP's innovative macrocyclic peptide platform and Novartis' expertise in cardiovascular drug development, with the potential to unlock new therapeutic approaches and deliver meaningful improvements in patient care for chronic diseases with high unmet medical needs.