Chimera Biotec, Kineta, KPI Therapeutics, Life Chemicals, Medical Marketing Economics, MPI Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute autoimmune news
Kineta and the CROs Chimera Biotec, Life Chemicals, Medical Marketing and MPI Research launched newco KPI Therapeutics to accelerate the development of early to mid-stage therapies from industry partners. KPI Therapeutics will jointly develop selected assets in special purpose entities (SPEs) using partner funding. KPI Therapeutics will invest in each SPE, along with private investors, with the goal of licensing the assets out to a pharma at a later stage.
KPI Therapeutics' initial focus is ShK-186, which is housed in the SPE Kineta One LLC. Kineta said Kineta One falls under Kineta, but KPI Therapeutics is an investor in Kineta One. This summer, Kineta plans to start a Phase Ic trial for ShK-186 to treat psoriatic arthritis. Kineta said KPI Therapeutics will not be involved in the Phase Ic trial and will instead work on additional indications and formulations of ShK-186, as well as potential backup compounds and other assets in Kineta's existing and future profile. Kineta has exclusive, worldwide rights to develop and commercialize the synthetic peptide that inhibits potassium channel Kv1.3 (KCNA3) from Airmid Inc. (Redwood City, Calif.) under a 2009 deal (see BioCentury, July 13, 2009)...