Molecular Partners Announces New Clinical Data, Immunomodulation Platform Advances, and Virology Portfolio Strategy

Zurich-Schlieren, Switzerland, December 17, 2020. Molecular Partners AG (SIX: MOLN), a clinical-stage biotech company that is developing a new class of custom-built protein drugs known as DARPin^® therapeutics, today announced multiple advances across clinical and preclinical programs, as well as an expansion of its corporate strategy to develop a portfolio of therapies targeting global viral threats. These advances will be detailed during a virtual R&D Day for investors and analysts starting at 9:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, December 17.

“In 2020, we delivered several advances across our pipeline, including first clinical proof of a unique DARPin-mediated cancer-localized immune mechanism, de novo development and clinical entry for our COVID-19 program, and important platform advances for the design of new immunomodulatory multi-domain DARPin^® molecules,” said Patrick Amstutz, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Molecular Partners. “We have dramatically expanded the capabilities of the DARPin^® drug class and unlocked multiple new opportunities in immuno-oncology and virology, the latter of which we are pursuing given the momentum of our first antiviral candidates and the clear fit between the DARPin^® therapeutic profile and the unmet need across multiple globally significant viral infections.”

In addition to senior management, Virtual R&D Day speakers will also feature Dr. Lutz Hegemann, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer, Global Health, Novartis, and Mario Sznol M.D., Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology); and Co-Leader, Cancer Immunology at Yale Cancer Center.

Corporate updates to be presented during the virtual event titled “Unlock and Expand: Custom Built Biology for Patients” will include:

• At the time of analysis, 19 of the 22 patients were available for evaluation. Of these, 50% of patients achieved stable disease (SD). To date, this multiple ascending dose, phase 1 study (0.5mg/kg-12mg/kg every 3 weeks) has reported no dose-limiting toxicities and no serious adverse events (SAEs) of special interest.
• Tumor biopsies confirm that MP0310 colocalizes to areas with high concentration of a tumor microenvironment-associated protein, fibroblast activation protein (FAP), which is a key characteristic of the mechanism of action. Additionally, significant increases in immune activation were seen across multiple immune cells, while inflammatory markers were unchanged, and no MP0310 activity was seen in peripheral tissues.
• Grade 2/3 infusion-related responses (IRRs) were observed in 12 patients and were manageable.
• Next steps will include investigating an optimized dosing schedule via exploration of weekly administration.

• Phase 1 initiation for MP0317 is now anticipated in H2 2021 due to a loss of drug supply associated with fill/finish procedures. New batches of MP0317 will be produced in H1 2021 and the clinical study is anticipated to initiate shortly thereafter.

• The phase 1 study of MP0420 is now enrolling the second of its 3 dosing cohorts. To date ensovibep has been seen to be well tolerated. The final dosing cohort is expected to enroll in the coming weeks and final data will be available in the first quarter of 2021.
• Additional clinical studies of ensovibep are planned to initiate throughout the first half of 2021, with the goal of achieving clinical proof of concept and potential emergency use authorization within 2021.

• Advanced the peptide MHC (pMHC) therapeutics platform with data demonstrating high potency/specificity of research candidates and established half-life extension. These technical proofs-of-concept have resolved several major challenges of classical pMHC-targeted discovery and is now ready for therapeutic candidate generation.
• The T cell engager therapeutics platform has demonstrated both highly selective and targeted T cell engagement, context-dependent T cell engagement, and ‘slow release’ T cell engagement, giving multiple new levels of control over this powerful immunomodulatory mechanism.
• Additional data across these platforms are submitted for the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) conference in April 2021.

Media release