Press Release

Molecular Partners’ strategic partner Allergan completed patient recruitment in both abicipar pegol nAMD Phase 3 studies

Zurich-Schlieren, May 09, 2017. Molecular Partners AG (SIX: MOLN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is developing a new class of drugs, known as DARPin® therapies, today announces that its partner Allergan has completed the patient recruitment in the two global AMD Phase 3 studies of abicipar pegol.

“We are impressed by the high recruitment speed that our colleagues from Allergan have accomplished and look forward to the 1-year data to be presented in 2018,” commented Michael T. Stumpp, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Molecular Partners.

Patrick Amstutz, PhD, acting CEO of Molecular Partners added: “This is a major milestone for Molecular Partners and the whole DARPin® product pipeline. I would like to congratulate all teams involved, both here at Molecular Partners and at Allergan for this tremendous achievement.”

Abicipar is an investigational drug for the treatment of retinal diseases such as neovascular AMD (nAMD), a leading cause of blindness in the western world. Abicipar may allow for less frequent dosing compared to currently approved anti-VEGF treatments which require monthly or bi-monthly injections into the eye.

The phase 3 program includes two studies, CEDAR and SEQUOIA, each planned to recruit 900 patients. The studies will evaluate the efficacy and safety of abicipar versus ranibizumab (Lucentis®) and the potential of abicipar to be dosed every 8 or 12 weeks vs. ranibizumab every 4 weeks. Top-line data are expected in 2018.

 

About Abicipar

Abicipar is a long-acting mono-DARPin® drug candidate that inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and is currently under investigation for the treatment of two major causes of blindness worldwide: neovascular AMD (also called wet AMD, wAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Abicipar has the potential to require less frequent injections into the eye than the current anti-VEGF standard of care, while providing equal or better improvements in vision, both seen as major patient benefits in these indications. Molecular Partners exclusively licensed abicipar to Allergan in May 2011.

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.

Clinical trials have demonstrated a well-tolerated, 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. 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

Susan A. Noonan
S.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.