ZURICH-SCHLIEREN, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2018 / Molecular Partners AG (SIX: MOLN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of drugs known as DARPin® therapies*, announced today the appointment of Pamela A. Trail, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer. Pamela Trail served most recently as Vice President of Oncology Strategy and Program Direction at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. With her addition, the company significantly strengthens its leading research capabilities applying the DARPin® platform to oncology drug development.
The company has also announced that Michael T. Stumpp, Ph.D., a co-founder of Molecular Partners and so far Chief Scientific Officer of the company, has been appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer. Michael T. Stumpp was part of the team working on designed repeat proteins as next generation protein drugs at University of Zurich that also invented the DARPin® technology. Since Molecular Partners' inception, he also oversaw the DARPin® pipeline.
"We are thrilled that Pam is joining our leadership team to help unlock the full potential of the DARPin® platform in cancer treatment," said Patrick Amstutz, Chief Executive Officer of Molecular Partners. "Pam brings a wealth of expertise in oncology drug development to this role, having contributed to three FDA-approved cancer therapies Nexavar™, Stivarga™ and Adcetris™, across a diverse set of therapeutic modalities, including biologics and small molecule drugs. Under her leadership we look forward to rapidly advancing our growing pipeline of clinical and pre-clinical DARPin® drug candidates – in oncology and beyond."
Pamela Trail has over 30 years of experience in directing cancer drug discovery efforts at leading pharmaceutical companies worldwide. At Regeneron she oversaw the development of the anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody Cemiplimab (REGN2810) and the bi-specific T cell-engaging antibody REGN1979, targeting CD20 and CD3. She has previously held the roles of Vice President of Oncology Research at MedImmune, Chief Scientific Officer at Seattle Genetics, Vice President of Protein Therapeutics Research at Bayer Healthcare, and Director of Oncology Cell and Tumor Biology at Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute. Dr. Trail holds a Ph.D. in Immunology and Virology from University of Connecticut.
"I am excited to join the team at Molecular Partners at this important moment, with our lead oncology programs progressing in multiple myeloma, non-small cell lung cancer and breast cancer, and additional exciting programs in earlier stages of development," said Pamela Trail. "The DARPin® platform represents an exciting new approach to developing innovative cancer therapeutics, combining a novel, differentiated drug format that enables multi-specific drug design with excellent flexibility and clinical developability. We aim to develop DARPin® candidates with the potential to play an important role against multiple forms of cancer that remain poorly treated today."
In her new role, Pamela Trail will work alongside a growing number of leading oncology and drug development and experts at Molecular Partners, including Andreas Harstrick, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, and Bill Burns, Chairman, former CEO of Roche Pharmaceuticals. These reputed international experts form an excellent base to substantiate the company's ambition to develop beyond a clinical product company and become a fully integrated biotech company in oncology.
Financial Calendar
- August 30, 2018 - Publication of 2018 Half-year Results
- November 01, 2018 - Q3 2018 Management Statement
http://investors.molecularpartners.com/financial-calendar-and-events/
About the DARPin® Difference
DARPin® therapeutics are a new class of protein therapeutics opening an extra dimension of multi-specificity and multi-functionality. DARPin® candidates are potent, specific, safe and very versatile. They can engage more than 5 targets at once, offering potential benefits over those offered 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 phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of solid tumors and hematological tumors. MP0274, the second-most advanced DARPin® drug candidate in oncology, has broad anti-HER activity; it inhibits HER1, HER2 and HER3-mediated downstream signaling via Her2, leading to induction of apoptosis. MP0274 is currently in phase 1. 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
patrick.amstutz@molecularpartners.com
Tel: +41 (0) 44 755 77 00
Andreas.Emmenegger, CFO
andreas.emmenegger@molecularpartners.com
Tel: +41 (0) 44 755 77 00
Thomas Schneckenburger, IR Europe
thomas.schneckenburger@molecularpartners.com
Tel: +41 (0) 44 755 5728
Susan A. Noonan, IR USA
susan@sanoonan.com
Tel: +1 212 966 3650
*DARPin® is a registered trademark owned by Molecular Partners AG
Disclaimer
This communication does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities of Molecular Partners AG. This publication may contain certain forward-looking statements and assessments or intentions concerning the company and its business. Such statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. The company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, assessments or intentions.
SOURCE: Molecular Partners AG
