Press Release
Molecular Partners Regains Rights to Multi-DARPin® Drug Candidate Targeting IL-13 & IL-17 for Pulmonary Indications from Janssen
Zurich‐Schlieren, October 6, 2016. Molecular Partners AG (SIX: MOLN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is developing a powerful new class of therapies known as DARPin® therapies, regained the full rights to a multi-DARPin® drug candidate targeting both IL-13 and IL-17 with long systemic half-life and potential use in pulmonary indications following the discontinuation of a Collaboration and License Agreement entered into with Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Janssen) in 2011.
Under the collaboration, Molecular Partners and Janssen and generated a multi-DARPin® drug candidate that is ready to enter into preclinical development. The research and development costs of this drug candidate were supported by Janssen.
“We are proud to have successfully applied our DARPin® platform to generate this highly differentiated multi-DARPin® drug candidate for Janssen, and respect their strategic decision not related to the DARPIN® drug candidate. Molecular Partners will thoroughly evaluate if this drug candidate should be added to our proprietary pipeline, partnered or discontinued,” said Dr. Christian Zahnd, Chief Executive Officer of Molecular Partners.
The termination of the collaboration with Janssen in immunology does not impact Molecular Partners‘ strategy. Molecular Partners is progressing programs in ophthalmology in partnership with Allergan and in oncology with a proprietary pipeline of DARPin® drug candidates. The most advanced programs are Abicipar currently in phase 3 and MP0250 which is moving into phase 2 clinical studies in hematological malignancies.
About Molecular Partners AG
Molecular Partners AG is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is developing a new, class of therapies known as DARPin® therapies. DARPin® therapies are potent, specific, and versatile small proteins, which have the potential to offer benefits over conventional monoclonal antibodies or other currently available protein therapeutics. The DARPin® technology has the potential to offer a multi-specific approach to treatment, which enables the DARPin® therapies to target multiple pathways, or multiple epitopes on a single target to achieve substantial patient benefit. DARPin® therapies have the potential to advance modern medicine and significantly improve the treatment of serious diseases, including cancer and sight-threatening disorders. DARPin® is a registered trademark owned by Molecular Partners AG.
Molecular Partners has four compounds in various stages of clinical and preclinical development and several more in the research stage, with a current focus on ophthalmology and oncology. The company establishes research and development partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies and is backed by established biotech investors.
For more information regarding Molecular Partners AG, go to: www.molecularpartners.com.
For further details, please contact:
Dr. Christian Zahnd, CEO
christian.zahnd@molecularpartners.com
Tel: +41 (0) 44 755 77 00
Dr. Patrick Amstutz, COO
patrick.amstutz@molecularpartners.com
Tel: +41 (0) 44 755 77 00
Rolf Schläpfer
Hirzel.Neef.Schmid.Counselors
rolf.schlaepfer@konsulenten.ch
Tel: +41 (0) 43 344 42 42
S.A. Noon
Susan A. Noonan Communications, LLC
susan@sanoonan.com
Tel: +1 212 966 3650
Disclaimer
This communication does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities of Molecular Partners AG. This publication may contain certain forward-looking statements and assessments or intentions concerning the Company and its business. Such statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, assessments or intentions.
