Molecular Partners files for IPO

Ophthalmic and cancer company Molecular Partners AG (Schlieren, Switzerland) said it is planning to raise CHF125 million ($133.1 million) in an IPO on the SIX Swiss Exchange in 4Q14.

Molecular's lead compound is Abicipar pegol ( AGN-150998), a designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin) that antagonizes VEGF-A. It is partnered with Allergan Inc. (NYSE:AGN) and is in Phase II testing to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Molecular said Allergan expects to start a Phase III trial in wet AMD in 2Q15. ...