SEC Form SC 13D filed by Molecular Partners AG

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

(Rule 13d-101)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT

TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO

§ 240.13d-2(a)

(Amendment No. )¹

Molecular Partners AG

(Name of Issuer)

Common Shares, CHF 0.10 nominal value per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

60853G106

(CUSIP Number)

JAMES KRATKY

BVF PARTNERS L.P.

44 Montgomery St., 40th Floor

San Francisco, California 94104

(415) 525-8890

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

November 17, 2023

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ☒.

Note:  Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.  See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

1              The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

(1) Includes 225,899 Shares (as defined below) represented by 225,899 American Depositary Shares (the “ADSs”) (each ADS represents 1 Share).

(1) Includes 225,899 Shares represented by 225,899 ADSs (each ADS represents 1 Share).

(1) Includes 198,301 Shares represented by 198,301 ADSs (each ADS represents 1 Share).

(1) Includes 198,301 Shares represented by 198,301 ADSs (each ADS represents 1 Share).

(1) Includes 16,033 Shares represented by 16,033 ADSs (each ADS represents 1 Share).

(1) Includes 16,033 Shares represented by 16,033 ADSs (each ADS represents 1 Share).

(1) Includes 424,200 Shares represented by 424,200 ADSs (each ADS represents 1 Share).

(1) Includes 443,221 Shares represented by 443,221 ADSs (each ADS represents 1 Share).

(1) Includes 443,221 Shares represented by 443,221 ADSs (each ADS represents 1 Share).

(1) Includes 443,221 Shares represented by 443,221 ADSs (each ADS represents 1 Share).

Explanatory Note: The following constitutes the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned (the “Schedule 13D”). The Reporting Persons (as defined below) initially filed a Schedule 13G with respect to the securities of the Issuer pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on September 15, 2021 and subsequently filed amendments thereto. As of November 17, 2023, the Reporting Persons may be deemed to beneficially own in the aggregate in excess of 20% of the outstanding Shares (as defined below) of the Issuer (as defined below). Accordingly, the Reporting Persons are no longer eligible to report their beneficial ownership with respect to the securities of the Issuer on Schedule 13G and, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(f) of the Exchange Act, the Reporting Persons are transitioning to a Schedule 13D.

This statement relates to the Common Shares, CHF 0.10 nominal value per share (the “Shares”), of Molecular Partners AG, incorporated as a Swiss Aktiengesellschaft, or AG (the “Issuer”). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is Wagistrasse 14, 8952 Zurich-Schlieren, Switzerland. The symbol “$” refers to U.S. dollars and the term “CHF” refers to the legal currency of Switzerland.

(a)       This statement is filed by:

Each of the foregoing is referred to as a “Reporting Person” and collectively as the “Reporting Persons.” Each of the Reporting Persons is party to that certain Joint Filing Agreement, as further described in Item 6. Accordingly, the Reporting Persons are hereby filing a joint Schedule 13D.

(b)       The business address of BVF, BVF GP, BVF2, BVF2 GP, BVF GPH, Partners, BVF Inc. and Mr. Lampert is 44 Montgomery St., 40^th Floor, San Francisco, California 94104. The business address of Trading Fund OS and Partners OS is PO Box 309 Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.

(c)       The principal business of each of BVF, BVF2 and Trading Fund OS is investing in securities. The principal business of BVF GP, BVF2 GP and Partners OS is serving as the general partner of BVF, BVF2 and Trading Fund OS, respectively. The principal business of BVF GPH is serving as the sole member of each of BVF GP and BVF2 GP. The principal business of Partners is serving as the investment manager of each of BVF, BVF2, Trading Fund OS and the Partners Managed Account, and as the sole member of Partners OS. The principal business of BVF Inc. is serving as the general partner of Partners and as the managing member of BVF GPH. Mr. Lampert is the sole officer and director of BVF Inc.

(d)       No Reporting Person has, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

(e)       No Reporting Person has, during the last five years, been party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

(f)       Mr. Lampert is a citizen of the United States of America.

The securities of the Issuer purchased by each of BVF, BVF2 and Trading Fund OS, and held in the Partners Managed Account, were purchased with working capital (which may, at any given time, include margin loans made by brokerage firms in the ordinary course of business).

The aggregate purchase price of the 4,260,081 Shares owned directly by BVF and the 225,899 ADSs owned directly by BVF is approximately $44,492,661 and $4,428,080, respectively, including brokerage commissions. The aggregate purchase price of the 3,439,088 Shares owned directly by BVF2 and the 198,301 ADSs owned directly by BVF2 is approximately $33,208,527 and $3,663,755, respectively, including brokerage commissions. The aggregate purchase price of the 431,323 Shares owned directly by Trading Fund OS and the 16,033 ADSs owned directly by Trading Fund OS is approximately $4,320,478 and $314,594, respectively, including brokerage commissions. The aggregate purchase price of the 122,492 Shares held in the Partners Managed Account and the 2,988 ADSs held in the Partners Managed Account is approximately $1,553,554 and $46,229, respectively, including brokerage commissions.

The Reporting Persons acquired the securities of the Issuer based on the Reporting Persons’ belief that such securities, when acquired, were undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity. Depending upon overall market conditions, other investment opportunities available to the Reporting Persons, and the availability of securities of the Issuer at prices that would make the purchase or sale of such securities desirable, the Reporting Persons may endeavor to increase or decrease their position in the Issuer through, among other things, the purchase or sale of securities of the Issuer on the open market or in private transactions or otherwise, on such terms and at such times as the Reporting Persons may deem advisable.

The Reporting Persons remain passive investors in the Issuer and are filing the Schedule 13D solely as a result of beneficially owning in excess of 20% of the outstanding Shares (see Explanatory Note above). The Reporting Persons have not acquired the securities with a purpose or effect of changing or influencing control of the Issuer and no Reporting Person has any present plan or proposal which would relate to or result in any of the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) - (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.

(a) The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by each person named herein is based on 36,336,681 Shares (including Shares represented by ADSs) outstanding as of September 30, 2023, which is the total number of Shares outstanding as disclosed in Exhibit 99.2 to the Issuer’s Report of Foreign Issuer on Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2023.

As of the close of business on the date hereof, (i) BVF beneficially owned 4,485,980 Shares, including 225,899 Shares represented by 225,899 ADSs held by it, representing percentage ownership of approximately 12.3% of the Shares outstanding, (ii) BVF2 beneficially owned 3,637,389 Shares, including 198,301 Shares represented by 198,301 ADSs held by it, representing percentage ownership of approximately 10.0% of the Shares outstanding, and (iii) Trading Fund OS beneficially owned 447,356 Shares, including 16,033 Shares represented by 16,033 ADSs held by it, representing percentage ownership of approximately 1.2% of the Shares outstanding.

BVF GP, as the general partner of BVF, may be deemed to beneficially own the 4,485,980 Shares beneficially owned by BVF, representing percentage ownership of approximately 12.3% of the Shares outstanding.

BVF2 GP, as the general partner of BVF2, may be deemed to beneficially own the 3,637,389 Shares beneficially owned by BVF2, representing percentage ownership of approximately 10.0% of the Shares outstanding.

Partners OS, as the general partner of Trading Fund OS, may be deemed to beneficially own the 447,356 Shares beneficially owned by Trading Fund OS, representing percentage ownership of approximately 1.2% of the Shares outstanding.

BVF GPH, as the sole member of each of BVF GP and BVF2 GP, may be deemed to beneficially own the 8,123,369 Shares beneficially owned in the aggregate by BVF and BVF2, representing percentage ownership of approximately 22.4% of the Shares outstanding.

Partners, as the investment manager of BVF, BVF2 and Trading Fund OS and the Partners Managed Account, and the sole member of Partners OS, may be deemed to beneficially own the 8,696,205 Shares beneficially owned in the aggregate by BVF, BVF2 and Trading Fund OS and held in the Partners Managed Account, including 125,480 Shares held in the Partners Managed Account, including 2,988 Shares represented by 2,988 ADSs held in the Partners Managed Account, representing percentage ownership of approximately 23.9% of the Shares outstanding (less than 1% of the Shares outstanding are held in the Partners Managed Account).

BVF Inc., as the general partner of Partners, may be deemed to beneficially own the 8,696,205 Shares beneficially owned by Partners, representing percentage ownership of approximately 23.9% of the Shares outstanding.

Mr. Lampert, as the sole director and officer of BVF Inc., may be deemed to beneficially own the 8,696,205 Shares beneficially owned by BVF Inc., representing percentage ownership of approximately 23.9% of the Shares outstanding.

The foregoing should not be construed in and of itself as an admission by any Reporting Person as to beneficial ownership of any Shares owned by another Reporting Person. BVF GP disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares beneficially owned by BVF. BVF2 GP disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares beneficially owned by BVF2. Partners OS disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares beneficially owned by Trading Fund OS. BVF GPH disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares beneficially owned by BVF and BVF2. Each of Partners, BVF Inc. and Mr. Lampert disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares beneficially owned by BVF, BVF2 and Trading Fund OS and held in the Partners Managed Account.

(b)       Each of BVF, BVF2 and Trading Fund OS shares with Partners voting and dispositive power over the Shares each such entity beneficially owns. BVF shares with BVF GP voting and dispositive power over the Shares beneficially owned by BVF. BVF2 shares with BVF2 GP voting and dispositive power over the Shares beneficially owned by BVF2. Each of BVF GP and BVF2 GP shares with BVF GPH voting and dispositive power over the Shares each such entity beneficially owns. Trading Fund OS shares with Partners OS voting and dispositive power over the Shares beneficially owned by Trading Fund OS. Partners, BVF Inc. and Mr. Lampert share voting and dispositive power over the Shares they may be deemed to beneficially own with BVF, BVF GP, BVF2, BVF2 GP, Trading Fund OS, Partners OS and BVF GPH and held in the Partners Managed Account.

(c)       Schedule A annexed hereto lists all transactions in securities of the Issuer by the Reporting Persons during the past sixty days.

(d)       No person other than the Reporting Persons is known to have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or proceeds from the sale of, the Shares.

(e)       Not applicable.

On November 20, 2023, the Reporting Persons entered into a Joint Filing Agreement in which the Reporting Persons agreed to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of statements on Schedule 13D with respect to securities of the Issuer to the extent required by applicable law. A copy of this agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

BVF GP and BVF2 GP are the general partners of each of BVF and BVF2, respectively, pursuant to their limited partnership agreements, which provide BVF GP and BVF2 GP with broad authority over the activities and assets of BVF and BVF2. Pursuant to such limited partnership agreements, BVF GP and BVF2 GP are entitled to allocations based on realized and unrealized gains on the respective assets of BVF and BVF2.

Partners is the sole member of Partners OS and the investment manager of BVF, BVF2 and Trading Fund OS pursuant to their respective investment management agreements which authorize Partners, among other things, to invest the funds of BVF, BVF2 and Trading Fund OS in the securities of the Issuer and other securities and to vote, exercise or convert and dispose of such securities. Pursuant to such investment management agreements, Partners is entitled to receive fees based on assets under management and allocations based on realized and unrealized gains on such assets from each of BVF, BVF2 and Trading Fund OS.

Pursuant to investment management agreement with the Partners Managed Account, Partners and BVF Inc. have authority, among other things, to invest funds of the Partners Managed Account in the securities of the Issuer and other securities and to vote, exercise or convert and dispose of such securities. Pursuant to such investment management agreement, Partners and BVF Inc. receive fees based on realized and unrealized gains thereon.

Other than as described herein, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships among the Reporting Persons, or between the Reporting Persons and any other person, with respect to the securities of the Issuer.

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his or its knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: November 20, 2023

SCHEDULE A

Transactions in the Securities of the Issuer During the Past Sixty Days

BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND, L.P.

BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND II, L.P.

BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE TRADING FUND OS LP

BVF PARTNERS L.P.
(Through the Partners Managed Account)