Aridis Pharmaceuticals Announces Acquisition of Monoclonal Antibody Products and Technologies From Kenta Biotech

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SAN JOSE, Calif., May 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Aridis is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with Switzerland-based Kenta Biotech to acquire Kenta's entire portfolio of anti-infective human monoclonal antibody (mAb) products, and technologies. This 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 leadingSan 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. Our 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.

About Aridis

Aridis Pharmaceuticals is a privately held biopharmaceutical company headquartered in San Jose, CA, with a subsidiary in Switzerland. The Company is focused on the development of novel anti-infective drugs for the treatment of lung infections and other surface infections. Our products target infectious diseases that have a significant impact on life expectancy and address acute unmet medical needs including: nosocomial infections [Hospital acquired pneumonia, ventilator associated pneumonia], lung infections associated with cystic fibrosis, and severe wound infections. Aridis has a best-in-class anti-infective monoclonal antibody which targets P. aeruginosa (AerucinTM). Complementing the mAbs is a broad spectrum anti-infective, gallium citrate (PanaecinTM), which has shown preliminary efficacy and safety in a human clinical trial. The Company is a recognized global leader in biopharmaceutical stabilization formulation technologies and has successfully attained over $20m in non-dilutive funding. www.aridispharma.com

About Kenta Biotech

Kenta Biotech is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Zurich-Schlieren, Switzerland, focused on the development of innovative fully human monoclonal antibodies for the prevention and treatment of life-threatening infections. Kenta harnesses the power of the human immune system for the generation of fully human monoclonal antibodies and their transformation into highly effective therapeutic antibodies. This unique technology enables Kenta Biotech to move innovative antibody therapies rapidly from the bench to high medical need patients. Several product candidates are in clinical phase 2a and preclinical development. www.kentabiotech.com

Further information, please contact:
Vu L. Truong, Ph.D.
Founder & Chief Scientific Officer
Tel: 408-333-9681, email: truongv@aridispharma.com

Media Contact:

Eric Patzer Aridis Pharmaceuticals, 408-385-1742, patzere@aridispharma.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE Aridis Pharmaceuticals



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