Molecular Partners Shares Rise 19% After Ensovibep Trial Meets Primary Endpoint

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 [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 10, 2022 11:15 ET (16:15 GMT)

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