Novartis taps Molecular Partners for a novel approach to combat COVID-19
Novartis is spending USD 69 million upfront on a pair of experimental drugs from Molecular Partners.
The pact is for MP0420 and MP0423, two antivirals out of the biotech’s so-called DARPin tech, which Molecular Partners says that it has multi-specific target binding with the potential to avert viral escape via mutations, the prospect for subcutaneous administration, the long half-life for sustained activity, the potential to avoid cold storage and typically high-yield, highly scalable production in bacterial fermenters.
MP0420 is the furthest along, with phase 1 scheduled for next month ...
