MOLN - Molecular Partners Presents Positive Preclinical Data for First Switch-DARPin Candidate MP0621 at EHA 2024 | Benzinga
- Proof-of-concept of Switch-DARPin platform established in vivo, enabling the use of logic-gated and reversible immune activators
- Preclinical safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics support MP0621's potential to selectively kill cKit-positive cells and conditionally block CD47 with limited systemic side effects
- MP0621 presently in IND-enabling studies with Phase 1 in AML anticipated in 2025
ZURICH-SCHLIEREN, Switzerland and CONCORD, Mass., June 14, 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, today announced preclinical proof-of-concept data from MP0621, a multispecific cKit x CD16a x CD47 Switch-DARPin program. The data validates the Switch-DARPin concept in vivo and MP0621's potential as a next-generation therapeutic supporting hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), initially for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. The data will be presented today in a poster session at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2024 Hybrid Congress taking place June 13-16 in Madrid, Spain.
"We designed our Switch-DARPin platform to unlock undruggable targets and enable safe use of powerful immune activators via logic-gated and reversible immune activation," said Anne Goubier, Ph.D., SVP Research & Early Development. "MP0621 is our first candidate in this series, with the aim to clear HSCs effectively and safely, by targeting cKit, engaging innate immune cells via CD16a, and blocking CD47 only on cKit+ cells. We're thrilled by these results, which validate our Switch-DARPin platform in vitro and in vivo and pave the way for a new generation of conditionally activated T cell engagers, with the potential to revolutionize therapy in areas of unmet need, such as solid tumors".
HSCT offers a potential cure for patients with AML and other malignant and non-malignant diseases. However, the toxicity of pre-HSCT conditioning often requires that it is carried out with reduced intensity, increasing the likelihood that diseased cells remain in the bone marrow and lead to relapse. Safer and more efficacious treatments are needed to improve HSCT outcomes for more patients with AML and other diseases requiring HSC transplant. MP0621 is intended to maximize the therapeutic potential of HSCT for AML patients, including those with poor cytogenetic risk profile, to extend the access to potentially curative HSCT for more patients, and to increase long term disease control post HSCT.
MP0621 is designed to induce eradication of HSCs while avoiding the toxicity associated with current high-intensity conditioning regimens. MP0621 engages natural killer cells and macrophages via CD16a to selectively kill targeted cKit-positive cells. cKit is critical ...