Monopar Therapeutics Strengthens Leadership Team Ahead of ALXN1840 NDA Submission for Wilson Disease
Key Insights
Monopar Therapeutics appointed Susan Rodriguez as Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer to lead commercial strategy as the company prepares for a planned New Drug Application submission for ALXN1840 in the first half of 2026.
ALXN1840 represents the first major advancement in Wilson disease (search) treatment in decades, with a novel mechanism of action as an albumin tripartite complex (search) activator that differentiates it from current first-line therapies.
The company reported positive long-term efficacy and safety data from 255 patients with a median treatment duration of 2.63 years, demonstrating statistically significant improvement in copper balance.
Monopar Therapeutics Inc. has appointed Susan Rodriguez as Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer, marking a strategic move as the clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company prepares for a planned New Drug Application (NDA) submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for ALXN1840, its late-stage investigational therapy for Wilson disease (search), in the first half of 2026.
The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Monopar, as ALXN1840 represents what the company describes as "the first major advancement in the treatment of Wilson disease (search) in decades." Wilson disease is a rare genetic disorder characterized by impaired copper elimination, resulting in toxic accumulation in organs such as the liver and brain.
Executive Leadership Addition
Rodriguez brings more than 30 years of biopharmaceutical leadership experience to her newly created role. She most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Avadel Pharmaceuticals, where she led commercial strategy and execution, contributing to Avadel's acquisition by Alkermes for over $2 billion. Prior to that, she was Chief Commercial Officer of Ardelyx, where she established the company's first commercial organization and successfully transitioned it from a development-stage company to a commercial biopharmaceutical enterprise.
"Susan is a highly accomplished commercial and strategic leader with a distinguished track record of successfully launching innovative rare disease therapies and guiding organizations through high-growth phases," said Chandler Robinson, MD, Monopar's Chief Executive Officer. "Her experience building strong-performing commercial teams will be invaluable as Monopar advances ALXN1840 toward approval."
ALXN1840 Clinical Progress
ALXN1840 has a novel mechanism of action as an albumin tripartite complex (search) (ATC) activator that differentiates it from currently available first-line therapies. The drug binds and mobilizes copper, addressing the core pathophysiology of Wilson disease (search).
Recent clinical data presentations have demonstrated the therapy's potential. At EASL 2025, Monopar presented pooled long-term efficacy and safety data from 255 patients with a median treatment duration of 2.63 years, with additional safety data from 266 patients supporting a favorable safety profile. The data was presented as a late-breaking abstract.
At the American Neurological Association 2025 meeting, the company presented data demonstrating long-term neurological benefit, with the abstract selected for both oral and poster presentation and designated an "Abstract of Distinction."
Regulatory Pathway and Financial Position
Based on recent interactions with the FDA, Monopar plans to submit the NDA for ALXN1840 in mid-2026. The company also participated in an externally led patient-focused drug development meeting with the FDA on January 29, 2026, where patients and caregivers described the burden of Wilson disease (search) and highlighted the urgent need for additional treatment options.
The company has strengthened its financial position to support this regulatory pathway. In 2025, Monopar completed an underwritten public offering generating approximately $91.9 million after a concurrent repurchase of common stock but before offering expenses. As of December 31, 2025, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $140.4 million.
Monopar expects its current funds to support operations through at least December 31, 2027, including regulatory and potential commercial activities for ALXN1840, continued development of MNPR-101 programs, and internal research and development.
Additional Pipeline Programs
Beyond ALXN1840, Monopar is developing radiopharmaceutical programs including Phase 1-stage MNPR-101-Zr for imaging advanced cancers, and Phase 1a-stage MNPR-101-Lu and late preclinical-stage MNPR-101-Ac (search) for treating advanced cancers. These programs target the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (search) (uPAR), which is expressed in multiple aggressive cancers, including triple-negative breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers.
Financial Performance
For the year ended December 31, 2025, Monopar reported a net loss of $13.7 million, or $1.85 per share, compared to $15.6 million, or $4.11 per share, for 2024. Research and development expenses decreased to $9.9 million in 2025 from $13.0 million in 2024, primarily due to the absence of one-time expenses incurred in connection with the in-licensing of ALXN1840 in 2024.