Molecular Partners to cut up to 44% of staff as it shifts focus to radiotherapy pipeline

Molecular Partners announced it will lay off up to 44% of its workforce, affecting as many as 55 positions, as the Swiss biotech redirects its limited cash toward a radiotherapeutic program.

The company is consulting with employees in line with Swiss law and expects the restructuring to be completed by the second quarter of 2027, with the cost‑saving benefits becoming apparent in the second half of that year.

At the end of September, Molecular Partners reported cash reserves of 57.5 million Swiss francs (about $69 million), which it believes will sustain operations into late 2027. It has not yet quantified the financial impact of the layoffs but plans to provide an estimate early next year.

The pivot prioritizes a phase 1/2a study of its lead candidate MP0712 and the broader “Radio‑DARPin” pipeline, which uses small protein scaffolds to deliver radioactive payloads to cancer cells, a strategy similar to that of existing radiopharmaceuticals.