Marcela Guzman Ayala
Senior Director & Head, In Vitro Pharmacology Molecular Partners AG
Marcela Guzmán Ayala leads the In Vitro Pharmacology group at Molecular Partners AG, where she oversees the biology strategy for the company’s pipeline of radioligand therapies and Multispecific DARPin T-cell engagers. With over a decade of experience in immuno-oncology, across US and European biotech environments, her work focuses on logic-gated and co-stimulatory approaches to enhance the precision and efficacy of immune-based therapies, with a strong emphasis on translating scientific innovation into high value development programs. Marcela earned her Ph.D. in Genetics and Developmental Biology from the University of Geneva, in collaboration with the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research.
Seminars
- What defines a ‘clean’ target in practice, and how should we balance prevalence, selectivity, and heterogeneity risks?
- How can emerging technologies like proteomics, spatial biology, and AI improve prediction of protein expression, localisation, and off-tumour toxicity risk?
- How can the field move beyond a limited pool of validated targets while generating robust preclinical data to de-risk novel target investment?
- MP0632 redefines precision T-cell engagement through logic-gated design to address limited immunotherapy efficacy in high unmet need solid tumours
- Dual targeting of MSLN and EpCAM enables selective activation in dual-positive tumour cells with no signs of peripheral T-cell activation, reducing off-tumour effects and supporting expansion to other co-expressing indications
- CD2 co-stimulation sustains T-cell function and potency, driving durable, localised responses with an improved therapeutic window and favourable safety profile
