Molecular Partners to Cut Up to 44% of Staff in Radiotherapy Pivot

Molecular Partners plans to cut up to 55 jobs, about 44% of its workforce, as it narrows its work to targeted radiotherapy. The clinical-stage biotech, with offices in Zurich and in Concord, Massachusetts, announced the plan with its third-quarter results on October 29, 2026.

What happened

The company said it will reduce its workforce by no more than 55 positions. That is up to about 44% of its roles. It expects the changes to be fully in place by Q2 2027. The cost savings should take full effect early in the second half of 2027.

A consultation process with employees has started under Swiss rules. The company said it cannot yet estimate the restructuring charge and plans to report it with its full-year 2026 results.

CEO Patrick Amstutz said the company believes now is the time to focus on targeted radiotherapy. He told the Swiss news agency AWP that the decision was not pleasant but was right, and that many investors support it.

For work outside radiotherapy, including its Switch-DARPin programs, the company will explore partnerships and spin-outs.

Why it matters

The pivot puts the company's future on its radiopharmaceutical pipeline. Its lead program, MP0712, targets DLL3 and carries a lead-212 payload. It is being co-developed with Orano Med for small cell lung cancer and other neuroendocrine cancers.

In the US Phase 1/2a study, the second dose level of 105 MBq per dose is fully recruited. Eight of nine planned sites are open. Initial safety data are due in December 2026 at the North America Conference on Lung Cancer. Efficacy data are expected in 2027.

The money matters too. Cash and cash equivalents were CHF 57.5 million, about USD 69 million, at September 30, 2026. The company expects that to fund operations into late 2027. It guides 2026 operating expenses at CHF 50 to 55 million. Reuters noted the company also has partnerships with Novartis and AbbVie.

What it means for people in the industry

The release does not say how the cuts will split between the Zurich and Concord offices. People at the company, and at partners, will want to watch three things:

• December safety data for MP0712, the next readout for the lead program.
• The restructuring cost, due with the full-year results.
• Funding, with current cash expected to last into late 2027.

Reuters described radiotherapeutic medicines as a booming field. Molecular Partners is making its bet on that field at the cost of up to 44% of its roles.

See open pharma jobs in the US and Canada

Sources

• Molecular Partners Reports Q3 2026 Financial Results, Deepens Focus on Targeted Radiotherapy, Molecular Partners via GlobeNewswire
• Swiss biotech firm Molecular Partners to cut nearly half of workforce, Reuters via SRN News
• Molecular Partners is cutting nearly half its jobs, Keystone-SDA via bluewin