Molecular Partners to present pre-clinical data on its FAP x CD40 multi-DARPin® molecule and on DARPin® drug conjugates (DDCs) at the AACR 2019
Zurich-Schlieren, Switzerland, March 29, 2019. Molecular Partners AG (SIX: MOLN), a clinical-stage biotech company pioneering the use of DARPin® therapeutics to treat serious diseases, today announced that the company will present new pre-clinical data highlighting the company’s immuno-oncology and DARPin® directed drug delivery (DDC) platforms at the Annual Meeting 2019 of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) in Atlanta.
Using Molecular Partners’ novel and modular immuno-oncology toolbox, the company has designed a targeted approach to activate CD40 selectively in the tumor microenvironment. This approach is based on a multi-specific DARPin® molecule that incorporates a DARPin® directed to fibroblast activation protein (FAP) to localize an agonistic CD40 DARPin selectively in solid tumors with the goal of increase efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity. Preclinical data demonstrated that the company’s multi-specific FAP x CD40 DARPin® molecule induced FAP-dependent activation of B cells, dendritic cells and macrophages.
The versatility of DARPin® molecules also makes them an attractive alternative to antibodies for the development of drug conjugates. Molecular Partners has developed DARPin® drug conjugates (DDCs) in collaboration with ImmunoGen, Inc., (Nasdaq: IMGN), using a model EGFR multi-specific DARPin® molecule. The DDCs displayed antigen-specific activity across a panel of cell lines expressing EGFR. DARPin® drug conjugates combine the selectivity and potency observed with antibody drug conjugates and the novel modular design of DARPin® molecules to create specifically designed therapeutics.