Molecular Partners appoints Martin Steegmaier as Chief Scientific Officer to drive discovery of next-gen DARPin therapeutics

  • Extensive experience from senior oncology research roles at Roche, MorphoSys, Boehringer Ingelheim and most recently CSO at SOTIO Biotech

ZURICH-SCHLIEREN, Switzerland and CONCORD, Mass., Aug. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Molecular Partners AG (SIX: MOLN; NASDAQ: MOLN), a clinical-stage biotech company developing a new class of custom-built protein drugs known as DARPin therapeutics (“Molecular Partners” or the “Company”), today announced the appointment of Martin Steegmaier, Ph.D. as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and member of the company’s Executive Committee, effective October 1, 2025. Martin brings a wealth of experience in oncology drug development, having previously contributed to the advancement of several innovative cancer therapies at major biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

“I am delighted to welcome Martin Steegmaier to Molecular Partners, where his extensive expertise in oncology, business and leadership will provide further impetus to our efforts to deliver unique cancer therapies,” said Patrick Amstutz, Ph.D., CEO of Molecular Partners. “Martin’s experience will be invaluable in leading the research organization and as we continue to innovate and advance our pipeline of targeted DARPin therapeutics for cancer patients, including Radio-DARPins and Switch-DARPins for logic-gated immune cell activation.”

Martin Steegmaier joins Molecular Partners from SOTIO Biotech, a clinical-stage company developing immunotherapies for cancer, where he was CSO and lead the development of a broad pipeline of oncology programs.

Martin has extensive experience from senior roles at major biotech and pharma companies, including as Head of Research at MorphoSys, focusing on the development of antibody-based therapeutics in immuno-oncology and hematology-oncology. He previously held various positions in pharma partnering and oncology disease areas at Roche, becoming Head of Discovery for the Large Molecule Research organization at the Roche Innovation Center in Munich, and at Boehringer Ingelheim in oncology drug discovery.

Martin graduated from the Northern Arizona University and holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Basel and an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School.

Martin Steegmaier, Ph.D., said: “I’m pleased to join the exceptional team at Molecular Partners and to contribute to pioneering the cutting-edge DARPin therapeutics. I have built up considerable experience in oncology over my career, including developing large molecules at Roche and other organizations, which is directly relevant to the advancement of Molecular Partners’ exciting DARPin platforms and pipeline. I am looking forward to working with the team and to driving forward the next generation of DARPin therapeutics for patients with high unmet need.”

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