On November 6, 2026 Molecular Partners AG (SIX, NASDAQ: MOLN), a clinical-stage biotech company developing a novel class of medicines known as DARPin therapeutics ("Molecular Partners" or the "Company"), reported the presentation of new preclinical data supporting an attractive therapeutic window for MP0632, a logic-gated Switch-DARPin T cell engager (TCE) with integrated CD2 co-stimulation, at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 2026 conference.
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"These new data highlight that our logic-gated Switch-DARPin TCEs can address one of the central challenges in solid tumors: achieving potent anti-tumor activity while avoiding side-effects on healthy tissues that express the same targets. The clean in situ safety data on primary mesothelial cells and lung pleura is compelling and exactly the kind of evidence we need to support advancing MP0632 into IND-enabling studies in cancer indications co-expressing MSLN and EpCAM," said Martin Steegmaier, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Molecular Partners. He added: "These new data validate the potential of the Switch-DARPin platform to unlock tumor antigens so-far considered undruggable."
The SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) poster outlines the following key findings:
Potent and selective tumor cell killing, with efficacy comparable to a clinical-stage benchmark T-cell engager but a substantially improved safety profile
Safe integration of CD2 co-stimulation, enabling sustained T-cell activity
No detectable impact on primary human mesothelial or epithelial cells and no evidence of mononuclear cell infiltration in the lung pleura of mice expressing human EpCAM and MSLN
These data provide preclinical proof-of-concept that logic-gated Switch-DARPins can selectively target TAAs considered undruggable for TCEs to date, turning MSLN and EpCAM into a "clean" target pair. These results build on previously presented data demonstrating regression of established tumors expressing both EpCAM and MSLN, with minimal impact on tissue expressing only one antigen. In addition, the Switch-DARPin design allowed for safe use of potent co-stimulation for efficient tumor cell killing with low cytokine release profile.
Taken together, the preclinical data support advancing MP0632 into IND-enabling studies for solid tumors co-expressing MSLN and EpCAM, such as ovarian, endometrial, lung and pancreatic cancers.
Molecular Partners explores the broad therapeutic potential of its DARPin platforms, including Switch-DARPins inside and outside of oncology, through strategic partnerships and platform-derived spin-out opportunities, representing potential upside beyond its strategic focus on radiotherapeutics.
Details of the presentation
Title: MP0632, a logic-gated conditional Switch-DARPin T cell engager with CD2 co-stimulation enabling selective activity against solid tumors co-expressing MSLN and EpCAM
Poster #1072, a Top 150 SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) 2026 Abstract
Date & Time: 07 Nov 2026; 12:30-1:30 and 6:40-8:10 pm MT (poster viewing times)
Location: Phoenix Convention Center (PCC) – North Building – Lower-Level- Exhibition Halls 4-6
SITC takes place November 4-8 in Phoenix, AZ, USA.
The poster will be made available on Molecular Partners’ website after the presentation.
About MP0632
MP0632 is a next-generation, logic-gated T cell engager designed to activate T cells only when both MSLN and EpCAM are present. Its Switch-DARPin design enables reversible, dual-target-dependent un-masking of the CD3 binder for tumor-localized efficacy, while avoiding systemic T cell activity and limiting impact on healthy tissues. The built-in CD2 co-stimulation maintains potent and sustained tumor-localized T cell function.
(Press release, Molecular Partners, NOV 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234674407])