On July 6, 2026 Molecular Partners AG (SIX: MOLN; NASDAQ: MOLN), a clinical-stage biotech company developing a novel class of custom-built protein drugs known as DARPin therapeutics ("Molecular Partners" or the "Company"), reported an update across its pipeline of targeted alpha Radio-DARPin therapeutics (RDTs).

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"Molecular Partners has made significant progress in the first months of 2026, with our DLL3 radiotherapy candidate MP0712 progressing through Phase 1 initiation and dosing of patients in the first cohort. In addition, we have shown impressive data highlighting the unique advantages of our DARPins as interchangeable, isotope-agnostic vectors for alpha-emitting payloads, enabling us to tailor radiopharmaceuticals to target and disease biology. We look forward to first clinical data on MP0712 and to progressing our next Radio-DARPin candidates to first-in-human imaging in the second half of the year," said Patrick Amstutz, Ph.D., CEO of Molecular Partners.

Dosing of patients is ongoing in the first cohort of the US multicenter Phase 1/2a study of MP0712 (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07278479). MP0712, targeting the tumor-associated protein delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) and carrying the therapeutic payload Lead-212 (212Pb), is being developed for patients with small cell lung cancer and other neuroendocrine cancers, with strategic partner Orano Med. The Phase 1 study contains up to 4 dose levels (cohorts). Each patient will receive up to 4 doses of MP0712 within their assigned dose level. At present five centers are open and recruiting. Initial data from the MP0712 Phase 1/2a study are expected within the next months, with a more comprehensive dataset on safety and efficacy in 2027.

Based on his successful experience with MP0712 and on access to other isotopes, Dr. Mike Sathekge of the Nuclear Medicine Research Institute (NuMeRI) in South Africa has made a request for an early-access clinical program (under the legal framework for compassionate care in South Africa, Section 21 of the Medicines and Related Substances Act) with a DLL3-targeting Radio-DARPin, this time utilizing 177Lu/225Ac as theranostics pair to image and treat patients, respectively (referred to as MP0714). Molecular Partners remains fully focused on the execution of the US Phase 1/2a study of MP0712 with 212Pb. PanTera, a leading radioisotope producer, is among the suppliers of 225Ac for the use of MP0714 at NuMeRI. This work is enabled by the versatility of DARPins to interchange isotopes.

The Company’s ability to explore targets in an alpha isotope-agnostic manner is supported by preclinical data presented at the 3rd Global Radiopharmaceuticals Development Summit in March 2026 in Shanghai, China. The data show highly comparable biodistribution profiles of two Radio-DARPin candidates, each specific for a different tumor target, labeled with 177Lu or 203Pb. Imaging with 177Lu can be indicative of behavior with the therapeutic isotope 225Ac, and similarly with 203Pb for 212Pb.

MP0726, the Company’s second Radio-DARPin candidate, targets mesothelin (MSLN), a tumor target overexpressed across several cancers with high unmet need such as ovarian cancer. Molecular Partners plans to advance MP0726 towards first-in-human imaging in H2 2026.

As part of its growing pipeline, the Company plans two INDs across its portfolio of targeted cancer therapeutics in 2027 and expects to nominate a new RDT target in the second half of this year.

(Press release, Molecular Partners, JUL 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234669075])

On July 6, 2026 Incyte (Nasdaq:INCY) reported that it has completed its acquisition of Vega Therapeutics, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Star Therapeutics LLC. The acquisition adds VGA039, a novel monoclonal antibody in Phase 3 development for von Willebrand disease (VWD), the most common inherited bleeding disorder, to Incyte’s hematology portfolio.

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"With the acquisition complete, VGA039 adds one of the most promising late-stage hematology assets in development to our portfolio. As a potential first-in-class therapy, VGA039 is a strong strategic fit with our hematology franchise and expands our presence into bleeding disorders," said Bill Meury, Chief Executive Officer of Incyte. "Our priority is to advance the Phase 3 program, and we look forward to partnering with our talented new colleagues from Vega to progress VGA039 through clinical development."

VGA039 modulates Protein S to improve hemostasis, potentially improving the body’s ability to control bleeding in numerous bleeding disorders. VGA039 is in pivotal Phase 3 development for patients with VWD, the most common inherited bleeding disorder. If approved, VGA039 has the potential to be the first, once monthly subcutaneous prophylactic therapy for patients with VWD, who currently require frequent intravenous infusions.

VGA039 has received Breakthrough Therapy, Fast Track, orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). VGA039 has advanced into the Phase 3 VIVID-6 study (NCT07115004), a global single arm cross-over study to investigate safety and efficacy of the subcutaneous administration of VGA039 as prophylaxis for bleeding in patients with every type of VWD, including those with a high disease burden.

As previously disclosed, under the terms of the parties’ stock purchase agreement, Incyte has acquired all outstanding shares of Vega Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Star Therapeutics, for $1.25 billion upfront. Star Therapeutics will be eligible to receive up to $750 million in additional payments upon the achievement of sales milestones. We expect the transaction to be reflected as a one-time R&D expense in the third quarter and full year 2026 GAAP and non-GAAP financial results.

Lazard acted as financial advisor to Incyte, and Goodwin Procter LLP served as its legal counsel on the transaction. Evercore and Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisors to Star Therapeutics, and Fenwick & West LLP served as its legal counsel.

About VGA039
VGA039 is an investigational monoclonal antibody therapy with a novel mechanism of action that targets Protein S, with dual actions promoting platelet attachment and enhancing fibrin deposition to restore hemostasis. VGA039 has the potential to be a universal hemostatic therapy that can treat numerous bleeding disorders, starting with all types of von Willebrand disease (VWD) and bleeding sites. As a subcutaneously self-administered investigational antibody therapy with a convenient once monthly dosing regimen, VGA039 has the potential to improve convenience and quality of life for patients.

About von Willebrand Disease
Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly, caused by low or defective von Willebrand factor (VWF). VWD patients may experience excessive bleeding with varying severity and frequency, negatively impacting their daily lives. Current therapies for VWD prophylaxis include factor replacement therapies requiring multiple intravenous (IV) infusions every week. Approximately 135,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with von Willebrand disease.

(Press release, Star Therapeutics, JUL 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234669074])

On July 6, 2026 FORUS Therapeutics Inc ("FORUS"), a wholly owned subsidiary of PharmaEssentia Corp, reported that it has received a Notice of Compliance (NOC) authorizing BESREMI (ropeginterferon alfa-2b) for the treatment of adults with polycythemia vera (PV). BESREMI is expected to become commercially available in Canada in the coming weeks.

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Polycythemia vera is a rare, chronic blood cancer characterized by overproduction of red blood cells, which increases blood viscosity and can lead to serious complications, including thrombosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, and progression to myelofibrosis or acute myeloid leukemia.

"We are very pleased that Health Canada has approved BESREMI for the treatment of adults with polycythemia vera," said Ko-Chung Lin, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of PharmaEssentia. BESREMI is a next-generation interferon demonstrated to provide durable hematologic and molecular responses, reduced symptom burden, and a favorable safety and tolerability profile. We look forward to working closely with Canadian hematologists and other key stakeholders to make BESREMI available to patients living with PV across Canada.

"Polycythemia vera is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm that requires long-term management to reduce the risk of complications and control symptoms. The approval of BESREMI in Canada is an important and welcome development for patients living with PV and for the physicians who care for them," said Dr. Shireen Sirhan, President, Canadian Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Group; Vice-President (Research) , Quebec Research Group for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (GQR-LMC-NMP); Hematologist, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University Montreal. The availability of an interferon therapy specifically approved for PV has been long anticipated within the Canadian MPN community and represents a meaningful expansion of the treatment options available to patients. This approval reflects continued progress in the field and supports a more individualized approach to the management of PV.

(Press release, FORUS Therapeutics, JUL 6, 2026, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=forus-therapeutics-announces-health-canada-approval-of-besremi [SID1234669073])

On July 6, 2026 Novartis reported that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Myricx Bio ("Myricx"), a privately held UK-based biotechnology company developing a new class of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), using N-myristoyltransferase inhibitor (NMTi) payloads.

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The proposed acquisition would strengthen the Novartis oncology pipeline and advance next-generation targeted drug conjugates with novel payload mechanisms. Myricx’s approach is designed to deliver a differentiated cancer-killing payload directly to tumor cells, with the potential to address limitations of commonly used ADC payload classes such as TOPO-1 inhibitors. Myricx is developing two lead assets directed towards the targets B7-H3 and HER2, with potential across multiple solid tumor settings.

"ADCs have become an important part of cancer treatment, but there remains a clear need for new payload mechanisms to overcome resistance and expand their impact for patients," said Fiona Marshall, President of Biomedical Research at Novartis. "Myricx Bio has developed a promising NMTi payload platform with a differentiated mechanism that could broaden the use of ADCs across multiple tumor settings. This proposed acquisition reflects our strategy to scale innovative platforms, as we have with radioligand therapies, to deliver more durable, transformative treatments for patients."

NMT is an enzyme that helps important proteins function inside cells, which is essential for how cancer cells grow and survive. By inhibiting NMT, Myricx’s payload is designed to disrupt critical processes that cancer cells rely on. Preclinical data suggest this novel NMTi payload may have broad activity across solid tumors, including TOPO-1 resistant models, and may enable more effective use of ADCs in settings where existing payload classes have limitations.

More broadly, this agreement would give Novartis the opportunity to help establish NMTi, if clinically validated, as a new class of ADC payloads that could be applied across additional targets and platforms.

Transaction Details
Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will pay USD 1.1bn upfront, with up to USD 400m in potential milestone payments to acquire Myricx Bio. The transaction is expected to close in H2 2026, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

(Press release, Novartis, JUL 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234669072])

On July 6, 2026 Moleculin Biotech, Inc., (Nasdaq: MBRX) ("Moleculin" or the "Company"), reported that Walter Klemp, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Moleculin, participated in a Virtual Investor "What This Means" segment.

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For the segment, Chairman and CEO Wally Klemp discusses the positive preliminary unblinded efficacy results from the first 45 patients enrolled in Part A of the pivotal Phase 2/3 MIRACLE trial evaluating Annamycin in relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML). During the conversation, Mr. Klemp provides his perspective on the significance of the early efficacy trends observed across both Annamycin treatment arms, summarizes the key data, and discusses the commercial opportunity, including insights from the Company’s recent market research assessing the potential addressable market for Annamycin if approved.

(Press release, Moleculin, JUL 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234669071])