Molecular Partners Appoints Martin Steegmaier as Chief Scientific Officer to Advance DARPin Therapeutics Pipeline
Key Insights
Molecular Partners has appointed Martin Steegmaier, Ph.D. as Chief Scientific Officer effective October 1, 2025, bringing extensive oncology drug development experience from senior roles at Roche, MorphoSys, Boehringer Ingelberg, and SOTIO Biotech (search).
Steegmaier will lead the research organization and advance the company's pipeline of targeted DARPin therapeutics (search) for cancer patients, including Radio-DARPins (search) and Switch-DARPins (search) for logic-gated immune cell activation.
The appointment strengthens Molecular Partners' leadership team as the clinical-stage biotech company continues developing its proprietary DARPin platform for medical challenges that other drug modalities cannot readily address.
Molecular Partners AG announced the appointment of Martin Steegmaier, Ph.D. as Chief Scientific Officer and member of the company's Executive Committee, effective October 1, 2025. The clinical-stage biotech company, which develops custom-built protein drugs known as DARPin therapeutics (search), selected Steegmaier to drive discovery of next-generation cancer treatments.
Leadership Transition Strengthens Oncology Expertise
Steegmaier brings extensive experience in oncology drug development from senior roles at major pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Most recently, he served as CSO at SOTIO Biotech (search), a clinical-stage company developing immunotherapies for cancer, where he led the development of a broad pipeline of oncology programs.
"I am delighted to welcome Martin Steegmaier to Molecular Partners, where his extensive expertise in oncology, business and leadership will provide further impetus to our efforts to deliver unique cancer therapies," said Patrick Amstutz, Ph.D., CEO of Molecular Partners. "Martin's experience will be invaluable in leading the research organization and as we continue to innovate and advance our pipeline of targeted DARPin therapeutics (search) for cancer patients, including Radio-DARPins (search) and Switch-DARPins (search) for logic-gated immune cell activation."
Proven Track Record in Large Molecule Development
Steegmaier's career spans multiple leadership positions across the pharmaceutical industry. He previously served as Head of Research at MorphoSys, focusing on the development of antibody-based therapeutics in immuno-oncology and hematology-oncology. His experience at Roche included various positions in pharma partnering and oncology disease areas, ultimately becoming Head of Discovery for the Large Molecule Research organization at the Roche Innovation Center in Munich. He also held positions in oncology drug discovery at Boehringer Ingelheim.
The new CSO holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Basel and an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School, having graduated from Northern Arizona University.
Focus on DARPin Platform Advancement
"I'm pleased to join the exceptional team at Molecular Partners and to contribute to pioneering the cutting-edge DARPin therapeutics (search)," Steegmaier said. "I have built up considerable experience in oncology over my career, including developing large molecules at Roche and other organizations, which is directly relevant to the advancement of Molecular Partners' exciting DARPin platforms and pipeline. I am looking forward to working with the team and to driving forward the next generation of DARPin therapeutics for patients with high unmet need."
About DARPin Therapeutics
Molecular Partners is pioneering the design and development of DARPin therapeutics (search) for medical challenges other drug modalities cannot readily address. The company has programs in various stages of pre-clinical and clinical development, with oncology as its main focus. Molecular Partners leverages the advantages of DARPins to provide unique solutions to patients through its proprietary programs as well as through partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies.
Founded in 2004, Molecular Partners maintains offices in both Zurich, Switzerland and Concord, Massachusetts, and trades on both the SIX Swiss Exchange and NASDAQ under the ticker MOLN.