MOLN - Molecular Partners and Orano Med Share Positive Preclinical Data of their DLL3-Targeting Radio-DARPin Therapy (RDT) Candidate MP0712 at SNMMI 2024 | Benzinga
- MP0712, a 212Pb-Radio-DARPin targeting DLL3, as first candidate of Molecular Partners' RDT platform in development in partnership with Orano Med
- Positive tumor to kidney ratio and biodistribution, favorable antitumor activity and safety profile
- First-in-human study in planning with initial data expected in 2025
- RDT platform expanding with portfolio of additional targets under evaluation
ZURICH-SCHLIEREN, Switzerland and CONCORD, Mass. and PARIS, June 11, 2024 (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 and Orano Med, a clinical stage radiopharmaceutical company developing targeted alpha therapies with lead-212 (212Pb), today announced the debut of their lead Radio-DARPin therapy (RDT) candidate MP0712, targeting DLL3, in an oral presentation. The data presented today provide strong support for MP0712's clinical development in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and other DLL3+ neuroendocrine tumors. MP0712 features 212Pb as a potent therapeutic payload. The data were presented today at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2024 Annual Meeting taking place June 8-11 in Toronto, Canada.
"Three years ago, we started our venture into the radiotherapy space. We have made tremendous progress with our Radio-DARPins and are proud to present MP0712, our first RDT development candidate targeting DLL3 delivering and 212Pb to kill the tumor, in partnership with Orano Med," said Patrick Amstutz, Ph.D., Molecular Partners' Chief Executive Officer. "We have made key learnings how to reduce kidney accumulation and increase tumor uptake. We are now exploiting the long-known DARPin advantages to a full pipeline of candidates addressing high medical need. Kudos to both the Orano Med and Molecular Partners team for advancing the science to make this happen."
"We are extremely excited with the first preclinical results of the MP0712 program, which confirm the potential of the combination between Molecular Partners' targeting technology and 212Pb, an isotope perfectly suited for targeted alpha therapy. We eagerly anticipate advancing the drug's development and initiating clinical trials to provide solutions for patients with unmet medical needs," said Julien Dodet, CEO of Orano Med.
MP0712 is the first high-affinity DLL3-targeting RDT combining the advantages of DARPins as small protein-based delivery vectors and the short-lived alpha particle-emitting radioisotope 212Pb. DLL3 is expressed in >85% of SCLC patients and in other neuroendocrine tumors, while its expression in healthy tissues is low, making it a priority target for radiopharmaceutical therapy. SCLC is an aggressive form of lung cancer, with a poor five-year survival prognosis and a high unmet need for patients.
The preclinical package presented at SNMMI includes in vivo data demonstrating strong and homogeneous tumor uptake of 212Pb-DLL3 RDT, as well as significant and durable inhibition of tumor growth at clinically-relevant doses. The safety results seen across the tested dosing levels in mice suggest a favorable safety profile and potential ...