Benzinga | Dec 13, 2021 12:49PM EST

Molecular Partners Late Sunday Confirmed Ensovibep Retains Neutralization Of Omicron Variant Of SARS-CoV-2 In Preclinical Studies

* Laboratory studies using full Omicron pseudovirus confirm ensovibep maintains ability to neutralize the variant with very high potency, relative to substantial reductions in neutralizing potency across numerous anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody drugs

* Ensovibep continues to retain potent neutralization against all prior SARS-CoV-2 viral variants of concern, with an IC50 in the single digit ng/ml range

* Ensovibep is currently being evaluated in a global Phase 2-3 study (EMPATHY) in collaboration with Novartis

ZURICH-SCHLIEREN, Switzerland and CONCORD, Mass., Dec. 12, 2021 (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 that preclinical studies confirm that ensovibep maintains full neutralization of Omicron pseudoviruses that contain the identical mutations of the viral variant. In a panel of biologic drugs tested against the original (wild type) and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2, ensovibep maintained a uniformly high neutralizing potency across wild type and Omicron variants, while substantial reduction in potency was observed for numerous antibody drugs, both approved and investigational.

"Omicron is the latest example of the pandemic's continual evolution, with each variant potentially presenting new global threats, including reduction of the efficacy of approved vaccines and therapeutics," said Patrick Amstutz, Ph.D., CEO of Molecular Partners. "Ensovibep was designed to hold up against such viral mutations, understanding that a multispecific approach should prove superior to the first generation of monoclonal antibodies, which had previously offered significant benefit. We believe that our antiviral DARPin is well positioned to continue to outcompete future viral mutations."

The study design and results are intended for publication in an upcoming peer-reviewed journal. This data comes from studies conducted in collaboration with the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) in Switzerland and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States. Throughout its development, ensovibep has been consistently tested in vitro against all emerging variants of concern and variants of interest and has retained high potency against each.

Ensovibep is currently being evaluated in EMPATHY, a global Phase 2-3 study designed to explore and confirm the efficacy and safety of ensovibep for the treatment of COVID-19 in patients who are in the early stages of infection to prevent worsening of symptoms and hospitalization. Molecular Partners' collaboration partner, Novartis, is conducting this clinical trial, with Molecular Partners as a sponsor. The Phase 2 portion of EMPATHY has enrolled patients across six countries. Topline data for the first 400 patients are expected in early 2022.