Kenta Biotech announced an agreement with Rentschler Biotechnologie for the development of a fully human monoclonal antibody against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Using Kenta’s proprietary hybridoma cell line, Rentschler will develop a manufacturing process for Kenta’s KBSA301 antibody using, for the first time, single-use bioreactor technology.

“We are excited to work with Kenta on the clinical development of this promising product,” said Dr Nikolaus Rentschler, chief executive officer of Rentschler Biotechnologie. “It will be a pleasure to complement Kenta’s knowledge with our experience in manufacturing biological drugs and we are looking forward to a successful partnership.”

“Rentschler manufactures biopharmaceuticals to exacting standards and will be a key partner for us as we progress the development of a much-needed treatment,” added Kenta’s chief executive officer Violetta Georgescu-Kyburz.

KBSA301 is a fully human IgG antibody designed to treat infections caused by MRSA, a type of bacteria that can become resistant to certain antibiotics, including methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. KBSA301 has shown in several preclinical animal models that the antibody is very effective in treating severe S. aureus infections.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represents the most important drug-resistant grampositive infection market. The results from a population-based examination survey in 2001-2002 revealed that 2.3 million Americans are colonized with MRSA 1. MRSA occurs most frequently in patients in longterm care facility or hospital who have weakened immune systems. Patients are at risk because of the usage of multiple invasive devices and the frequent treatment with broad-spectrum antimicrobials which promote colonization of hospital pathogens. Hospital-acquired MRSA can cause serious and potentially life-threatening infections, such as bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, or pneumonia. Those infections are difficult to treat and lead to prolonged hospitalization, higher cost, and increased morbidity and mortality. The mortality of MRSA in blood stream infections varies from 24 to 64% as reported by Decision Resources (MRSA, Dec 2009).

Kenta Biotech is pioneering the use of fully human antibodies to fight life-threatening hospital infections. Kenta’s pipeline includes a series of human antibodies to target the most difficult to treat bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus. The company’s fully human antibodies are generated from Kenta's proprietary MAbIgX technology, which enables the company to test therapeutically promising antibodies against a variety of targets within short period of time. The resulting monoclonal antibodies are expected to enhance the efficacy of current treatment options and have a superior safety profile in the management of highly resistant bacteria.


Rentschler Biotechnologie GmbH is a global, full-service, contract manufacturer with more than 30 years of experience in the development, production and approval of biopharmaceuticals in compliance with international standards in good manufacturing practice (GMP).