Molefy Pharma will participate in BIOSPAIN 2026 from September 29 to October 1 at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre, at stand 091.
Dr. Ana Martínez, CSIC researcher and co-founder of Molefy Pharma, will take part on Wednesday, September 30, in a panel discussion on the next generation of therapies for ALS.
Bilbao, September 28, 2026. – Molefy Pharma, a Spanish biotechnology company specializing in the discovery and development of new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, will participate in BIOSPAIN 2026, taking place from September 29 to October 1 at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC).
Throughout the three-day event, the Molefy Pharma team will be at stand 091 to present its scientific and business project, share progress across its research programs, and meet with companies, investors, research centers, and institutions from the biotechnology ecosystem.
Participation in BIOSPAIN will enable the company to strengthen its collaboration network and explore new opportunities to accelerate the development of small molecules targeting biological mechanisms involved in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Among its programs, AP-2 stands out as its most advanced therapeutic candidate and the first to enter clinical development.
Ana Martínez to Join a Panel on New Therapies for ALS
On Wednesday, September 30, from 10:15 to 11:00 AM, Dr. Ana Martínez will participate in the panel discussion “Translating Breakthroughs to Next Generation Therapies for ALS,” taking place at Speakers’ Corner 1, Dorotea Barnés room.
The session will bring together experts from academic research, biotechnology, and clinical practice to discuss the innovations driving the development of next-generation therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The discussion will address emerging strategies, including small molecules, biologics, and regenerative and gene-based approaches, as well as the role of translational research in helping these advances move from the laboratory to patients.
AP-2 and TDP-43 Research
AP-2 is an orally administered small molecule designed to target TDP-43 dysfunction, a protein that plays a key role in cellular function and whose dysfunction is closely associated with ALS. In this disease, TDP-43 can undergo abnormal phosphorylation, leave the cell nucleus, and accumulate in the cytosol, disrupting its function and affecting motor neuron communication and survival.
The research that led to AP-2 has investigated inhibition of the CK1δ kinase as a strategy to reduce pathological TDP-43 phosphorylation. In patient-derived cellular models and animal models, the molecule under investigation showed reduced phosphorylation, restoration of TDP-43 localization, and preservation of motor neurons.
The candidate is currently being evaluated in a Phase Ia clinical trial in healthy volunteers, designed to characterize its safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile in humans. This first phase is expected to be completed in early 2027, followed by a Phase Ib study in a small group of patients with ALS.
BIOSPAIN 2026
BIOSPAIN is one of Europe’s leading biotechnology industry events. Its thirteenth edition will bring together companies, investors, research centers, and institutions in Bilbao to share knowledge, build partnerships, and discuss the challenges shaping the future of biotechnology in areas such as health, sustainability, industry, and competitiveness.