Molecular Partners (MOLN.SW) CEO Patrick Amstutz restated several milestones achieved during
2018 and updated the expected clinical progress it expects to make with its DARPin engine
through 2019. To recap, DARPin-based drugs are 10% of the size of traditional monoclonal
antibodies, but the peptide sequences enable high affinity and low immunogenicity against the
specified targets, while also having a tunable half-life. The proof-of-concept for this technology is
being provided by abicipar in wet AMD, which is a relatively simple DARPin that binds vascular
endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and has a polyethylene tail that allows for extended dosing
intervals compared to marketed drugs such as Lucentis.
Molecular Partners and its partner Allergan are planning to file abicipar for approval in wet AMD
from H1 2019. This will include data from the MAPLE study, which is investigating an optimized
product that will theoretically reduce the 15% rate of intraocular inflammation seen in the Phase
III SEQUOIA and CEDAR studies. Looking beyond wet AMD, Phase III testing in DME is expected to
begin during H2 2019. Marketed anti-VEGF ophthalmological products are approved across a
range of neovascular retinal disorders, so this subsequent expansion to DME is important to
increase abicipar’s overall competitiveness.
The wholly-owned multi-targeting DARPin antagonist MP0250 was also presented at length, and
specifically the opportunity within multiple myeloma. Binding human serum albumin (HSA),
hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and VEGF, MP0250 is hypothesized to block escape pathways
and innate resistance against standard-of-care drugs, thus positioning itself as a later-line
treatment. This year, Molecular Partners expects data from the ongoing Phase II multiple
myeloma and EGFR-mutated NSCLC studies, as well as initiating a new multiple myeloma study in
combination with immunomodulatory drugs such as Revlimid, Pomalyst and Otezla.
Lastly, Molecular Partners highlighted its first immuno-oncology candidate MP0310, which is
intended to overcome the dose-limiting systemic toxicity of current 4-1BB agonists. The drug is
partnered to Amgen in a $50m upfront deal and will benefit from the company’s rich portfolio of
bi-specific T cell engagers. First-in-human trials are expected to start in H2 2019.
2018 and updated the expected clinical progress it expects to make with its DARPin engine
through 2019. To recap, DARPin-based drugs are 10% of the size of traditional monoclonal
antibodies, but the peptide sequences enable high affinity and low immunogenicity against the
specified targets, while also having a tunable half-life. The proof-of-concept for this technology is
being provided by abicipar in wet AMD, which is a relatively simple DARPin that binds vascular
endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and has a polyethylene tail that allows for extended dosing
intervals compared to marketed drugs such as Lucentis.
Molecular Partners and its partner Allergan are planning to file abicipar for approval in wet AMD
from H1 2019. This will include data from the MAPLE study, which is investigating an optimized
product that will theoretically reduce the 15% rate of intraocular inflammation seen in the Phase
III SEQUOIA and CEDAR studies. Looking beyond wet AMD, Phase III testing in DME is expected to
begin during H2 2019. Marketed anti-VEGF ophthalmological products are approved across a
range of neovascular retinal disorders, so this subsequent expansion to DME is important to
increase abicipar’s overall competitiveness.
The wholly-owned multi-targeting DARPin antagonist MP0250 was also presented at length, and
specifically the opportunity within multiple myeloma. Binding human serum albumin (HSA),
hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and VEGF, MP0250 is hypothesized to block escape pathways
and innate resistance against standard-of-care drugs, thus positioning itself as a later-line
treatment. This year, Molecular Partners expects data from the ongoing Phase II multiple
myeloma and EGFR-mutated NSCLC studies, as well as initiating a new multiple myeloma study in
combination with immunomodulatory drugs such as Revlimid, Pomalyst and Otezla.
Lastly, Molecular Partners highlighted its first immuno-oncology candidate MP0310, which is
intended to overcome the dose-limiting systemic toxicity of current 4-1BB agonists. The drug is
partnered to Amgen in a $50m upfront deal and will benefit from the company’s rich portfolio of
bi-specific T cell engagers. First-in-human trials are expected to start in H2 2019.
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