Delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) is a highly relevant target for radiopharmaceutical therapy due to its expression in more than 85% of tumors of patients with small-cell lung cancer.
Researchers from Molecular Partners AG reported on the preclinical evaluation of MP-0533, a multispecific T-cell engaging DARPin (designed ankyrin repeat protein) targeting CD70, CD123, CD33 and CD3 tumor-associated antigens (TAA) simultaneously.
Within just a few hours, Molecular Partners AG reported both a potential snag in securing emergency use authorization (EUA) for its Darpin antiviral, ensovibep, and the loss of a half-billion-dollar partnership with Amgen Inc. for the phase I-stage 4-1BB-targeting compound MP-0310. While neither update is likely to dampen prospects for the company’s overall Darpin pipeline, the near-term investor disappointment was enough to send shares (NASDAQ:MOLN) closing 37% lower April 27, after dropping to their lowest point since the Zurich, Switzerland-based firm priced its $63.8 million IPO on Nasdaq in June 2021.
A futility analysis of Molecular Partners AG’s ensovibep for treating hospitalized COVID-19 adults prompted an independent data safety monitoring board to recommend discontinuing recruitment of patients in the phase III ACTIV-3 study.
Amid what Moderna Inc. called "overwhelming" demand from global governments for mRNA vaccines and boosters with efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, the company said both its authorized vaccine, mRNA-1273, and a strain-matched candidate, mRNA-1273.351, increased neutralizing titers against the variants.
Plans for a late-stage test of Valneva SE's COVID-19 vaccine candidate, clinical progress on a different vaccine from Novavax Inc. and advancement for two midstage therapies targeting the virus made clear April 6 that industry efforts to battle the pandemic remain in high gear.
With the world heading straight into a "very tough" stretch of the COVID-19 pandemic in which "too many countries are seeing an exponential increase in cases," according to World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, two lucrative deals announced Oct. 28 showed little slack in efforts to confront the virus, even as evidence is still developing.
The FDA sent a complete response letter (CRL) to Allergan plc, an Abbvie Inc. company, and Molecular Partners AG, of Zurich, Switzerland, regarding the BLA for abicipar pegol, their VEGF-A inhibitor-Darpin therapy for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
