NEWS
August 14, 2007
Molecular Partners Raises 18.5 Mio CHF in Series A Financing
 
Zurich-Schlieren, Switzerland, August 14, 2007. Molecular Partners AG, a pioneer in the development of a novel class of therapeutic compounds (DARPins), has announced the closing of its Series A equity investment round raising 18.5 Mio CHF (€11.28 million, $15.56 million). The round was led by Index Ventures (Geneva, Jersey, London), a leading venture capital firm in the field of therapeutic antibodies, and was further supported by an international syndicate of investors, representing the US and Europe, including BB Biotech Ventures (Zurich), Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (US) and Endeavour Vision (Geneva).

The new funds will enable Molecular Partners to advance its portfolio towards the clinic and to expand its operations. Its proprietary class of therapeutic compounds - DARPins has target binding properties equal to that of antibodies but feature superior stability and expression allowing for simultaneous binding to several targets. Highly specific, high-affinity DARPins show activity against a broad range of disease targets, including cell surface receptors, cytokines, proteases, kinases and viral coat proteins.

Dr. Christian Zahnd, CEO commented: “We are delighted to have received this strong support from such an impressive syndicate of investors. This is a further validation of our strong DARPin platform and business strategy. We are very impressed by the long-standing track record and the deep understanding of the antibody space our investors bring to the table, thus bringing much more into the company than the strong financial backing.”

Following the investment, Dr. Francesco de Rubertis, General Partner at Index Ventures and Dr. Mark de Boer Venture Partner from Index will join the board of directors.

In addition to its internal development projects, Molecular Partners will continue to build on collaborations with industry partners in order to broaden and diversify its therapeutic pipeline. The Company has already secured collaborations with Bayer Schering and Roche.

Dr. Francesco Rubertis from Index Ventures added: “We are pleased to have led this highly competitive and oversubscribed investment round and to have worked alongside Molecular Partners to attract a strong syndicate of co-investors. We are convinced that the very strong management team of Molecular Partners will be able to successfully leverage the full potential of the DARPin technology and build a successful Company with a broad pipeline of attractive therapeutic assets.”

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For further details please contact:
Media relations
Tony Stephenson, Senior Account Manager
Claire Mosley, Account Executive
Sue Charles, CEO
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7268 3002
mp@northbankcommunications.com

At the Company
Molecular Partners AG
Dr. Christian Zahnd, CEO
Tel: +41 44 755 77 00
info@molecularpartners.com

About Molecular Partners:
Molecular Partners AG was incorporated in 2004 as a spin-off company of the group of Professor Andreas Plückthun at the University of Zürich. It is a privately held biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of a novel class of therapeutic proteins, termed DARPins.

Molecular Partners owns the exclusive commercial rights in DARPins and, in addition, has a complete freedom to operate in the field due to a cross licensing deal with Cambridge Antibody Technology. DARPins are characterized by exceptional molecular properties, such as very high stability and production yields and multiple specificities within one molecule. These attributes allow new transforming therapeutic approaches. To date, DARPins have been generated against numerous different disease targets, including cell surface receptors, cytokines, proteases, kinases and viral coat proteins. In 2005, the DRP technology was awarded the “Swiss Technology Award 2005”, the most prestigious technology award of Switzerland. In June 2005, the founding team of Molecular Partners was awarded the most renowned and most highly financed entrepreneur’s prize in Switzerland of the W.A. de Vigier Foundation. For more information, please visit www.molecularpartners.com

About Index Ventures:
Index Ventures is a leading European venture capital firm, active in technology venture investing since 1996. The firm is dedicated to helping top entrepreneurial teams in the Life Science and Information Technology sectors build their companies into market defining global leaders, and currently has over $1 billion under management. The firm has offices in Geneva, London and Jersey and focuses its investment activity primarily on Europe and Israel. Investments include Genmab (GEN, Copenhagen), BioXell (BXLN, SWX), Addex (ADXN, SWX), PanGenetics and 7TM Pharma. For more information, please visit www.indexventures.com

About BB Biotech Ventures:
BB Biotech Ventures is a healthcare-dedicated venture capital fund, focused on companies that develop and market drugs and medical devices. The Guernsey–based fund is advised by the Bellevue Asset Management Group, which has operations in Boston and Kusnacht/Zurich, Switzerland. BB BIOTECH VENTURES currently invests from Fund II, which has a size of USD 123 mn and was closed in 2005. Bellevue is one of the largest financial healthcare investors in the world, investing both private and public equity. Investment vehicles additionally advised by Bellevue include BB BIOTECH and BB MEDTECH. For more information, please visit www.bbbiotechventures.com

About Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation:
Organized in 1973, Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (JJDC) is the venture capital subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. JJDC makes private equity investments in venture funded health care companies. Portfolio companies include those in the fields of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics and consumer products. JJDC also leads and manages internal investments in selected promising technologies. For more information, please visit www.jjdevcorp.com

About Endeavour Vision:
Endeavour Vision combines a team of experienced venture capital professionals who have collectively invested in 63 companies in 12 countries in both the Life Sciences and Information/Communication Technologies since 1989. The firm invests across Europe in early stage companies which have the potential to become global leaders. Past investments in the Life Sciences of Endeavour Vision professionals include Actelion (SWX:ATLN), Novimmune, Axovan (acquired by Actelion), Kuros Biosurgery and Endoart (acquired by Allergan, NYSE:AGN). For more information, please visit www.endeavourvision.com

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