Molecular Partners Shares Rise 19% After Ensovibep Trial Meets Primary Endpoint
January 10 2022 - 11:30AM
Dow Jones News
By Chris Wack
Molecular Partners AG shares rose 19% to $19.72 after the
company and Novartis said that Part A of their clinical trial
comparing single intravenous doses of ensovibep, a DARPin antiviral
therapeutic candidate, versus placebo to treat Covid-19 met the
primary endpoint of viral load reduction over eight days.
The company said the two secondary endpoints in the study also
showed clinically meaningful benefit over placebo: composite
endpoint of hospitalization and/or Emergency Room visits or death,
and time to sustained clinical recovery.
Novartis said it will exercise its option to in-license
ensovibep from Molecular Partners and, following exercise of the
option, will seek expedited access globally, first via the Food and
Drug Administration's EUA process.
The clinical trial, which is being conducted by Novartis with
Molecular Partners as sponsor, is a placebo-controlled study in
ambulatory adult patients with Covid-19.
Novartis told Molecular Partners of its intent to option its
exclusive license to global rights of ensovibep, which will lead to
a milestone payment. Molecular Partners will also be eligible to
receive 22% royalty on sales.
Novartis will become responsible for development, manufacturing,
distribution and commercialization activities of ensovibep.
Novartis has initiated scale-up activities in its large-scale
biologics production facilities.
Write to Chris Wack at chris.wack@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 10, 2022 11:15 ET (16:15 GMT)
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