ZURICH-SCHLERN, Switzerland and CONCORD, Mass., Jan. 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ad hoc announcement according to Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. 53LR : molecular partners AG (MOLNMOLN, a clinical-stage biotech company developing a new class of tailored protein drugs known as DARPin therapeutics, today announced several developments in its infectious disease and oncology portfolios. These include:

• DARPin radioligand therapy platform making good progress. Disclosure of the tumor-associated protein Delta-like Ligand 3 (DLL3) as the first target. DLL3 expression is low in healthy tissues but significantly increased in certain tumor types, providing an opportunity for selective targeting.
• Year-end 2022 unaudited cash and short-term deposits ~CHF 249 million. The company continues to maintain the expected cash runway through 2026.*
• Molecular Partners and Novartis have signed a non-binding letter of intent to negotiate a research framework agreement primarily focused on emerging infectious global health threats. The parties agree that the definitive agreement, if completed, will contain provisions related to research plans, governance, development and commercialization, intellectual property, and the ability to prioritize future pandemic projects
  

The company expects the following milestones in 2023:

• Q1 2023: Enrollment of the first patient in the Company’s Phase 1 study of MP0533 (CD33 X CD123 X CD70 X CD3), a novel trispecific T-cell targeting for the treatment of AML and high-risk MDS
• 1H 2023: Completed enrollment in the dose escalation phase of the Company’s phase 1 MP0317 (FAP X CD40) program in the treatment of solid tumors
• H1 2023: Scientific presentations of DARPin radioligand therapies and their potential differentiation as a tumor targeting entity
• Formal selection of the clinical candidate for DLL3 DARPin RLT
• Q4 2023: A first read of data from the phase 1 study of MP0533
  

Ensovibep update:

• Molecular Partners has been informed by its partner Novartis that it has filed a request to withdraw the state of emergency…