Molecular Partners

Molecular Partners AG is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Zürich, Switzerland.[2] The company is developing a new class of potent, specific and versatile small-protein therapies called DARPins,[3] with potential clinical applications in a range of disease areas including oncology, immuno-oncology, ophthalmology, and infectious diseases. Molecular Partners currently has two DARPin molecules in clinical development, and a broad pipeline of molecules in preclinical development.[1]

Molecular Partners AG
TypePublic
SIX: MOLN
Nasdaq: MOLN
IndustryBiotechnology
Founded2004
Headquarters
Schlieren, canton of Zürich, Switzerland
Key people
William M. Burns, Chairman of the Board

Dr. Patrick Amstutz, Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Michael Stumpp, Chief Operating Officer
Andreas Emmenegger, Chief Financial Officer

Dr. Nicolas Leupin, Chief Medical Officer
Total assetsCHF 145.6 million (Mar. 31, 2021)[1]
Number of employees
152 FTE (Mar. 31, 2021) [1]
Websitewww.molecularpartners.com

History

Researchers at the University of Zürich, Switzerland formed Molecular Partners AG in 2004 while studying monoclonal antibodies. These scientists discovered and developed the DARPin technology and launched the company using this platform.[3]

Molecular Partners became a publicly traded company in November 2014, when it was listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker MOLN).[4][5]

Since July 2021, the company is also listed on the Nasdaq in the US under the ticker symbol MOLN.[6]

DARPins

DARPins are genetically engineered antibody mimetic proteins typically exhibiting highly specific and high-affinity target protein binding.[3] They are derived from natural ankyrin repeat proteins. Repeat proteins are among the most common classes of binding proteins in nature, responsible for diverse functions such as cell signaling and receptor binding.[3] DARPins constitute a new class of potent, specific and versatile small-protein therapies, and are used as investigational tools in various therapeutic and diagnostic applications.[3]

The simplest format of a DARPin is the mono-DARPin, consisting of one DARPin domain with specificity for one target. The molecular mass of a mono-DARPin is about 15 to 20 kDa (kilodaltons), depending on the exact design.[7] Several mono-DARPins can be linked (genetically or chemically) to multi-DARPins, which then combine multiple activities in one therapy. This approach enables the design of medicines that can inhibit multiple disease-specific targets and may improve outcomes for patients living with cancer, ophthalmic diseases and other disorders.[3]

Currently, Molecular Partners has two DARPin molecules in clinical development and a broad pipeline of molecules in preclinical development.[1]

Areas of Focus

Molecular Partners is currently focusing its DARPin platform on the fields of oncology, immuno-oncology, ophthalmology, and infectious diseases.[1][8]

Partnerships/Business Development

Molecular Partners has negotiated three agreements with Allergan to develop therapies for ophthalmology (including abicipar), one in 2011[9] and two in 2012.[10] In 2011, the company licensed its lead asset back then, abicipar, to Allergan.[9] In 2012, Molecular Partners and Allergan expanded their relationship by signing two separate new agreements to discover, develop, and commercialize proprietary therapeutic DARPin products for the treatment of serious ophthalmic diseases.[10]

Since the company's inception in 2004, Molecular Partners licensed additional DARPin candidates to other leading international pharmaceutical companies, such as Amgen, Roche or Janssen.[11]

In October 2020, as part of a joint venture to develop therapeutic drugs to combat COVID-19,[12] the Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis bought 6% of all shares outstanding in Molecular Partners at 23CHF a share.[13]

References
  1. Molecular Partners Interim Management Statement Q1 2021.
  2. "Molecular Partners raised CHF 18.5m in Series A Equity Financing Round". Lenz & Staehelin. August 2007. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  3. Plückthun, A (2015). "Designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins): binding proteins for research, diagnostics, and therapy". Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 55 (1): 489–511. doi:10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010611-134654. PMID 25562645.
  4. Förster, Jan-Henrik (November 5, 2014). "Bloomberg". Bloomberg. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  5. "2014 Annual Report" (PDF). Molecular Partners. March 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  6. Company PR (June 15, 2021). "Press Release on US Listing". Molecular Partners Pipeline.
  7. Binz, HK; Amstutz, P; Kohl, A; Stumpp, MT; Briand, C; Forrer, P; Grütter, MG; Plückthun, A (2004). "High-affinity binders selected from designed ankyrin repeat protein libraries". Nature Biotechnology. 22 (5): 575–582. doi:10.1038/nbt962. PMID 15097997. S2CID 1191035.
  8. "Annual Report 2021". Molecular Partners Financial Filings.
  9. Allergan Licenses Molecular Partners’ Phase II Eye Disease Protein Therapeutic for $45M". Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News. May 4, 2011.
  10. "Molecular Partners Gets $62.5M as Allergan Repeats on Darpins". Bioworld. August 21, 2012.
  11. "Molecular Partners and Amgen Announce Strategic Collaboration in Immuno-oncology". Company PR.
  12. Pfister, Franziska (2 October 2021). "Der Endspurt um die Pille gegen Covid-19 läuft". NZZ am Sonntag (in German). Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  13. Global Legal Chronicle Molecular Partners Option and License Agreement with Novartis (30 October 2020)
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