Developing bispecific Radio-DARPins to engage multiple tumor targets simultaneously, improving precision and therapeutic efficacy
Presentation outlines Radio-DARPins' ability to match target and disease biology for improved outcomes
ZURICH-SCHLIEREN, Switzerland and CONCORD, Mass., July 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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"), today highlights its approaches to overcoming target limitations in radioligand therapy (RLT) through Radio-DARPins, in a presentation at the Gordon Research Conference Radionuclide Theranostics for the Management of Cancer in Newry, Maine, US.
Title: Appropriate Targets for RLT? High selectivity vs high expression
Presenter: Daniel Steiner, Ph.D.
Time: Wednesday July 15 at 11:10-11:30 ET
The presentation outlines the ability of DARPins to match the biological characteristics of both the target and the disease, by optimizing their binding properties, systemic half-life, and biodistribution. To address tumor heterogeneity, Molecular Partners is also developing multispecific Radio-DARPins that can engage multiple tumor targets simultaneously, improving precision and therapeutic efficacy.
"Our multispecific Radio-DARPin approaches reflect Molecular Partners' ambition to push the boundaries of radiotheranostics and address the complexity and heterogeneity of cancer. By combining the versatility of DARPins with our deep expertise in designing multispecific medicines, we are exploring innovative approaches that have the potential to broaden patient reach and improve outcomes. This work represents an important step toward the next generation of radiopharmaceuticals," said Daniel Steiner, Ph.D., SVP of Targeted Radio Therapeutics at Molecular Partners.
Building on the success of its first "mono"-targeting Radio-DARPins, the Company is highlighting the ability to expand its impact in the field of RLT through multispecific DARPins. These can be formatted either as a bispecific (two DARPins each binding an individual target) or as a 2-in-1 DuoDARPin (one DARPin able to bind two tumor targets in an either/or manner).
The Company's multispecific approaches enable the design of radiopharmaceuticals for effective treatment of highly heterogenous cancers, with target expression variability across tumor lesions and patients. Such bispecific radiopharmaceuticals could allow to treat cancer indications in which two targets are co-expressed solely on tumor tissues, creating tumor-specific solutions for patients with limited therapeutic options today.