Kenta Biotech presents positive Phase IIa results of panobacumab

Kenta Biotech has presented positive Phase IIa results of its lead drug candidate, panobacumab (KBPA101), with all patients completing the treatment for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-acquired pneumonia (VAP) caused by P. aeruginosa achieving an effective clearance of pneumonia as well as a 100% survival rate. Panobacumab, a fully human IgM monoclonal antibody, is a first-in-class immunotherapy for these life-threatening infections, and this clinical trial reveals its potential as a more effective treatment than standard antibiotic therapy alone.

The Phase IIa open study was presented at the 20^th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases by Professor Pierre-François Laterre of St Luc University Hospital, Brussels. All 13 patients who received three infusions of panobacumab survived, which compares favourably to the attributable mortality of between 33% and 50% usually associated with VAP caused by P. aeruginosa. Improved clearance of pneumonia was also a benefit of early treatment with panobacumab.

Professor PF Laterre said: "Antibiotic resistance is growing, and even with adequate antibiotic therapy, HAP and VAP caused by P. aeruginosa remain among the most common and deadliest hospital-acquired infections. Alternatives to antibiotics are therefore desperately needed in the fight against these infections. This data warrants further trials as it demonstrates that panobacumab has the potential to revolutionise the treatment of life-threatening hospital infections."