A panel of human monoclonal antibodies against Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been generated using the MabIgX® platform technology. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous, gram-negative environmental bacterium, and an important pathogen in individuals whose immune system is compromised. These individuals include cancer patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatment, those with burns, and those being artificially ventilated in an intensive care unit. Acute infections in these patients can have rapid and dramatic courses. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection has a crude mortality rate of about 39%, which is the highest rate observed for bacteria-induced nosocomial blood stream infections. Even more important, the proportion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates resistant to ceftazidime, a third generation cephalosporin, increased from 12% in 1995 to 29% in 2001.
To provide broader protection against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, Kenta Biotech will develop human monoclonal antibodies directed against other Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotypes. In parallel, Kenta develops a multivalent diagnostic test for rapid serotyping of P.aeruginosa strains by realtime PCR. Proof-of-concept for this approach has been shown with clinical isolates from patients infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Once the infecting strain is diagnosed, the matching monoclonal antibody component can be administered.
The Preclinical Portfolio
Kenta Biotech is developing therapeutic antibodies against the following important targets in infectious diseases:
• Treatment of nosocomial infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
• Prophylaxis of lower-respiratory tract infections by respiratory viruses.
