Kenta Biotech sells Monoclonal Antibody Products and Technologies to Aridis

The asset portfolio purchase includes six anti-infective human mAb products for treatment of infections by common pathogens including drug resistant bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

This acquisition comprises an impressive portfolio of mAb products which includes two candidates in phase 2a clinical trials for acute pneumonia. Aridis Founder & President Eric Patzer stated; “We are pleased to complete this transaction and build upon the substantial financial investment and remarkable progress that our colleagues at Kenta Biotech have achieved in creating a portfolio of innovative products”. Kenta CEO Franco Merckling added: “We are pleased to have identified Aridis as the ideal partner to further develop the Kenta technology and project pipeline which has been built over the last seven years. Aridis, a leading San Francisco area biotech company specializing in novel anti-infectives, is poised to accelerate the development of our drug candidates in both the US and Europe”.

Accompanying the mAb products is an antibody discovery platform that enables the recovery of very rare, naturally occurring protective antibodies generated by the human immune system (called ‘MabIgx’ technology). This technology platform also enables rapid development of natural human antibodies into medicines. “Combined with Aridis’ anti-infective product portfolio, this acquisition clearly places Aridis in a leadership position in anti-infective mAbs. This promising new class of anti-infectives presents very significant advantages over conventional antibiotics that are prone to drug resistance’ said Aridis Founder & Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Vu Truong.

This portfolio of mAb products will be folded into Aridis’ Switzerland subsidiary to facilitate completion of the ongoing clinical trial and provide access to an excellent range of resources in Switzerland. Aridis’ current financing activities will fund the completion of the on-going phase 2a clinical trial in pneumonia patients infected with antibiotic resistant strains of S. aureus (e.g. MRSA, MSSA), and also to advance two additional IND stage products through phase 1 clinical testing. These clinical trials will be completed within 18-24 months.