ZURICH-SCHLIEREN, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / October 12, 2017 / Molecular Partners AG (SWX: MOLN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of drugs known as DARPin® therapies, announced today that the first patient was dosed in the phase 1 clinical study of its oncology asset, MP0274. MP0274 is a proprietary DARPin® drug candidate for the treatment of HER2-positive cancer with a new mode of action compared to current standard of care antibodies.
The phase 1 study of MP0274 is a two-part study in patients with advanced HER2-positive solid tumors. Part 1 will be conducted in three sites in Germany, Switzerland, and the UK, all of which are open to recruitment and will assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and establish the recommended dose for further development. Part 2 will be conducted in the initial three sites, as well as in additional sites, and is designed to confirm safety and to assess preliminary efficacy at the recommended dose. Initial safety data are expected in the first half of 2018 and initial efficacy data towards the end of 2018.
"We are very pleased to have reached this important milestone to dose the first patient in our phase 1 study for patients with advanced HER-2 positive solid tumors with our novel drug candidate, MP0274," commented Dr. Andreas Harstrick, Chief Medical Officer at Molecular Partners. "With this milestone, Molecular Partners significantly expands its clinical portfolio besides the ongoing MP0250 clinical trials."
Financial Calendar:
- October 26, 2017 - Q3 2017 Management Statement
- October 31, 2017 - Extraordinary General Meeting
- November 9, 2017 - R&D Day in New York
- February 8, 2018 - Publication of Full-year Results 2017 (unaudited)
- March 16, 2018 - Expected Publication of 2017 Annual Report
- April 18, 2018 - Annual General Meeting
http://investors.molecularpartners.com/financial-calendar-and-events/
About the DARPin® Difference:
DARPin® therapeutics are a new class of protein therapeutics that open an extra dimension of multi-specificity and multi-functionality. DARPin® candidates are potent, specific, safe and very versatile. They can engage more than five targets at once, offering potential benefits over those provided 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 a clinical POC study in multiple myeloma. In addition, Molecular Partners intends to evaluate MP0250 for the treatment of solid tumors in a phase 1b/2 trial in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MP0274, the company's second-most advanced DARPin® drug candidate in oncology, is entering into phase 1 development. With its broad anti-HER activity, MP0274 inhibits HER1-, HER2-, and HER3-mediated downstream signaling via Her2, leading to induction of apoptosis. 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, CEO
[email protected]
Tel: +41 (0) 44 755 77 00
Andreas.Emmenegger, CFO
[email protected]
Tel: +41 (0) 44 755 77 00
Rolf Schläpfer
Hirzel.Neef.Schmid.Counselors
[email protected]
Tel: +41 (0) 43 344 42 42
Susan A. Noonan
S.A. Noonan Communications, LLC
[email protected]
Tel: +1 212 966 3650
SOURCE: Molecular Partners AG