Press Release
Gwen Fyfe, MD, to be proposed for election to Board of Directors at the next Annual General Meeting on May 11, 2017
Zurich-Schlieren, February 9, 2017. Molecular Partners AG (SIX: MOLN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of drugs known as DARPin®* therapies, today announces that the Board of Directors has decided to propose Gwen Fyfe, MD, for election as member of the Board of Directors at the next Annual General Meeting on May 11, 2017.
Gwen has more than 20 years of drug development experience in oncology. She held various positions at Genentech from 1997-2009, including vice president, oncology development, playing an important role in the development of Genentech’s approved oncology agents including Rituxan®, Herceptin®, Avastin® and Tarceva®. Since leaving Genentech in 2009, she has been a consultant for venture capital firms and for a variety of biotechnology companies. Gwen is a recognized expert in the broader oncology community and has been an invited member of Institute of Medicine panels, National Cancer Institute working groups and grant committees and American Society of Clinical Oncologists oversight committees. She is a graduate of Washington University School of Medicine and a board certified pediatric oncologist.
Jörn Aldag, Chairman of Molecular Partners commented: “I am delighted to announce the nomination of Gwen for election to the Board of Directors. We are convinced that Gwen is the ideal candidate to further strengthen our Board of Directors and to join us on our journey to advance our product candidates in oncology”.
Patrick Amstutz, acting CEO of Molecular Partners: “Gwen brings a wealth of expertise in clinical oncology development to our company. We have started to work with her on our clinical projects as a consultant and are delighted by her input. At Molecular Partners, we share the passion with Gwen to bring innovative therapies forward with the potential to transform the lives of patients”.
About the DARPin® Difference
DARPin® therapeutics are a new class of protein therapeutics opening an extra dimension of multi-specificity and multi-functionality. DARPin candidates are potent, specific, safe and very versatile. They can engaging in more than 5 targets at once, offering potential benefits over those offered by conventional monoclonal antibodies or other currently available protein therapeutics. The DARPin® technology is a fast and cost-effective drug discovery engine, producing drug candidates with ideal properties for development and very high production yields.
With their good safety profile, low immunogenicity and long half-life in the bloodstream and the eye, DARPin® therapies have the potential to advance modern medicine and significantly improve the treatment of serious diseases, including cancer and sight-threatening disorders. Molecular Partners is partnering with Allergan to advance clinical programs in ophthalmology, and is advancing a proprietary pipeline of DARPin® drug candidates in oncology. The most advanced global product candidate is abicipar, a molecule currently in Phase 3, in partnership with Allergan. Several DARPin® molecules for various ophthalmic indications are also in development. The most advanced systemic DARPin® molecule, MP0250, is in clinical development for the treatment of solid tumors and is moving to Phase 2 for hematological and solid tumors. MP0274, the second-most advanced DARPin® drug candidate in oncology, has broad anti-HER activity; it inhibits HER1, HER2 and HER3-mediated downstream signaling via Her2, leading to induction of apoptosis. MP0274 is currently moving in Phase 1. Molecular Partners is also advancing a growing preclinical pipeline that features several immuno-oncological development programs. DARPin® is a registered trademark owned by Molecular Partners AG.
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. With a management team that includes many of the founding scientists, the company continues to attract talented individuals who share the passion to develop breakthrough medicines for serious diseases. Molecular Partners has 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. Patrick Amstutz, acting CEO
patrick.amstutz@molecularpartners.com
Tel: +41 (0) 44 755 77 00
Andreas.Emmenegger, CFO
andreas.emmenegger@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. Noonan
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.