News

Molecular Partners selected as Technology Pioneer 2011 by the World Economic Forum

Sep 01 2010

ZURICH-SCHLIEREN, Switzerland—The World Economic Forum today announced its new class of Technology Pioneers 2011. The most innovative technology startups from around the world were selected. These companies represent the cutting edge in innovation and are poised to have a critical impact on the future of business, industry andsociety. Molecular Partners is proud to announce it has been selected as a Technology Pioneer.  The Technology Pioneers 2011 were nominated by the world’s leading technology experts, including venture capitalists, technology companies, academics and media. The final selection of the 31 Technology Pioneers 2011 from 330 nominees was made by a panel of 68 leading technology experts appointed by the World Economic Forum.

“To be selected as one of the Technology Pioneers 2011 of the World Economic Forum is a great honor for Molecular Partners” said Dr. Christian Zahnd, CEO of Molecular Partners.  “Being granted this international recognition supports us in pursuing our vision to create medicines for currently untreatable diseases and to dramatically improve existing therapies.”
Technology Pioneers must be involved in the development of a major technology and/or innovation and have the potential for long-term impact on business and society. In addition, it must demonstrate visionary leadership and show all the signs of being a long-standing and sustainable market leader – and its technology must be proven. Previous Technology
Pioneers include 23andMe, Alnylam, Dr Reddy Laboratories, Google, Intercell, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Morphosys, Mozilla, Napster and Twitter.


“The World Economic Forum is proud to recognize an outstanding group of innovative companies as Technology Pioneers for 2011,” said André Schneider, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the World Economic Forum. “Their technologies and business models will have a durable and valuable effect in several industries and society as a whole.
We look forward to their unique contributions to the mission of the Forum: improving the state of the world.”

For further details please contact:
Dr. Christian Zahnd, CEO
Tel: +41 (0) 44 755 77 00
[email protected]

About Molecular Partners (www.molecularpartners.com):
Molecular Partners is a privately held biotech company focusing on the commercialization of a novel class of biological drugs known as DARPins. The company is committed to create medicines for diseases with unmet medical need and to dramatically improve existing therapies. DARPins combine the high specificity, selectivity and safety of monoclonal antibodies with many advantages of small molecules, including high stability and low-cost production. Molecular Partners has established a strong DARPin pipeline which is well differentiated from standard therapeutic approaches. The lead molecule, MP0112, is a VEGF-A antagonist which is in clinical trials for the treatment of ocular diseases, including wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Next to MP0112, Molecular Partners is focusing on
DARPin drugs in inflammation, oncology and other disease areas. The internal pipeline is expanded by partnered programs with leading pharmaceutical companies. Molecular Partners has established collaborations with F. Hoffmann-la Roche, Centocor Research & Development Inc. and Bayer Schering Pharma. The company is backed by a strong syndicate of investors and holds a strong patent estate covering all DARPin applications.

About the World Economic Forum (www.weforum.org):
The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests.