Kineticos Life Sciences has launched Kinvard Bio Inc., a new anti-infectives biotech company based on research that has been exclusively licensed from the Myers Lab in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University and funded by the Kineticos AMR Accelerator Fund I (KAMRA I).

KAMRA I is dedicated to combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by investing in, creating, and supporting companies that are developing disruptive solutions to address this critical public health issue. Leveraging the Kineticos Foundry model, KAMRA I will provide Kinvard Bio with both financial and operational support to achieve its vision.

Advancing OPPs

A research team led by Professor Andy Myers in Harvard’s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology developed foundational innovations that could lead to an antibiotic capable of overcoming drug-resistant infections. Oxepanoprolinamides (OPPs), a distinct class of lincosamide antibiotics, are highly effective and differentiated binders to the bacterial ribosome. Preclinical studies show effectiveness against both gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens. The Myers Lab received significant support from the Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator and CARB-X, which awarded $1.2 million to profile antimicrobial leads. Harvard’s Office of Technology Development licensed the technology to Kinvard Bio for clinical application.

Kinvard Bio is advancing its lead programs through preclinical optimization, with a focus on developing oral and IV formulations for the treatment of the most challenging acute and chronic drug-resistant infections, such as bacterial pneumonia, complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), and nontuberculosis mycobacteria lung disease (NTM-LD).

“The powerful synthetic methods we’ve developed at the Myers Lab have enabled us to create a series of compounds that hold great promise for treating superbugs resistant to standard treatments,” stated Andy Myers, Amory Houghton Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard. “Licensing these compounds and the synthetic platform for further development should accelerate the production of essential antibiotics to address the pressing global health issues caused by drug-resistant infections.”

Led by Dr. Lloyd Payne, Kinvard Bio will utilize its platform chemistry to develop and advance this new class of antibiotics to clinical stage.

“I am thrilled to join Kinvard Bio and work with the team to progress a highly differentiated class of antibacterials with broad therapeutic potential towards the clinic,” said Dr. Payne, CEO of Kinvard Bio. “Partnering with KAMRA I represents an excellent opportunity to further develop the Myers Lab innovation and meet the critical need for new IV and oral antibiotics for the treatment of patients with challenging drug-resistant infections.”