Molecular Partners publishes encouraging results of a clinical study

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and wet Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are key causes of severe vision loss in the western world. These two indications are driven primarily by elevated ocular concentrations of VEGF.
 
In a Phase I/II study MP0112, a small therapeutic protein from Molecular Partners, was shown to be safe, and to suppress VEGF-A concentrations in aqueous humor after a single intraocular injection, with a pharmacokinetic half-life of about 2 weeks. These effects were accompanied by a stabilization or improvement in visual acuity and reduction of retinal edema (measured with optical coherence tomography) for up to 12 to 16 weeks.
 
“The current 4 to 8 week dosing frequency of anti-VEGF therapies imposes a huge burden upon patients, physicians and healthcare systems. The ability to suppress intraocular VEGF for as long as possible is an important differentiator, and could result in a more sustainable treatment regimen in DME”, said Lisa Rojkjaer, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Molecular Partners. “Publication of these exciting results in the high impact journal AJO underscores the importance of the data.”
 
MP0112 is a highly-potent, stable and soluble anti-VEGF DARPin, a small therapeutic protein with single-digit picomolar binding affinity for VEGF-A. In 2011, Molecular Partners licensed the molecule under an exclusive agreement to Allergan, Inc. for clinical development in retinal diseases. Allergan is currently evaluating the molecule in a phase 2b trial in 200 patients with exudative AMD based on an optimized manufacturing process and formulation (AGN-150998). Data from this study are expected in 2013.