Kenta Biotech

Kenta Biotech is focusing on the discovery and development of innovative, fully human monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of life-threatening hospital infections such as hospital acquired pneumonia. In spite of antibiotic treatment a significant number of patients still die from the infection they acquired at the hospital. Kenta is addressing this significant unmet medical need and has established antigen screening and functional assays for several targets. Kenta's proprietary MabIgX technology combines the advantages of classical hybridoma technology with a unique specific heteromyeloma fusion cell line for the generation and selection of fully human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The MabIgX technology allows to harness the most effective antibodies generated by immunocompetent individuals through the isolating and propagation of antigen-specific human B-cells isolated from healthy individuals, actively immunized individuals or from individuals who have successfully defeated an infection caused by the target pathogen. After selection these highly antigen-specific human B-cells are immortalized employing a specific heteromyeloma cell line as fusion partner, which generates stable hybridomas for large scale manufacturing of target specific fully human MAbs. The MabIgX technology does not require any genetic engineering steps or expression systems protected by third party intellectual property rights. The proprietary MabIgX technology platform enables the generation of natural human MAbs with expected superior safety and efficacy profiles. Kenta Biotech currently has one product candidate in clinical development and several product candidates in preclinical development. The lead compound, KBPA 101, is in early Phase II clinical trials in hospital-acquired pneumonia. In 2006, KBPA 101 has received Orphan Drug Status from the EMEA and FDA.