Inspired by Nature,
Antibiotics reimagined
A new, highly differentiated, class of ribosome-targeting antibiotics.
About Us
A new differentiated class of antibiotics for the treatment of acute and chronic bacterial infections
Kinvard Bio, a spin-out from the prestigious Myers Lab at Harvard University’s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, is pioneering the development of a differentiated class of ribosome-targeting antibacterials known as the oxepanoprolinamides (OPPs).
With a focus on addressing the highest unmet patient need and commercial potential, Kinvard Bio is committed to delivering impactful solutions in the fight against acute and chronic bacterial infections.
Key features:
- Proprietary synthetic chemistry platform: Robust and scalable.
- Optimal ribosome binding: Highly differentiated binding mode in a clinically validated target.
- Broad-spectrum activity: Effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens.
- Resistance avoidance: OPPs overcome a wide range of pre-existing resistance mechanisms.
- Targeting chronic respiratory infections: Effective against clinically important pathogens, including non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTMs).
The OPP class of antibacterials presents substantial therapeutic potential across multiple clinical indications. The OPPs are designed for both intravenous and oral routes of administration, offering versatile treatment options for a range of acute and chronic bacterial infections.
Kinvard Bio
oxepanoprolinamides (OPPs)
Bacterial Infections: A Significant Contributor to the Global Burden of Disease
1 in 8 deaths are linked to bacterial infection1
A Global Health Crisis
Bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) significantly contribute to global health challenges, especially among individuals with pre-existing conditions and underlying risk factors. These infections result in millions of hospitalizations each year, causing substantial mortality and morbidity, and placing an immense strain on healthcare systems worldwide.
Resistance to antibiotics led to at least 1,000,000 deaths each year since 1990
Without decisive action, the rising incidence of drug-resistant infections is projected to claim over 39 million lives by 2050. This trend underscores the critical need for innovative solutions to address AMR and safeguard global health.2
Acute and chronic bacterial infections are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity
In Asia (2024), 40% of patients with hospital-acquired infections caused by carbapenem-resistant organisms died within 30 days of their infection onset. Mortality rates for the chronic respiratory infection, NTM-lung disease are between 10-48% in the US; averaging 27% globally with recurrence rates as high as 41%, averaging 1.5 years after successful treatment.
Responding to the urgent patient need for new oral treatment options
The rising incidence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is diminishing the effectiveness of existing oral antibiotics. With few new oral treatments in development, patients are increasingly dependent on hospital-based intravenous therapies, driving up healthcare costs and worsening patient outcomes.
Kinvard Bio is tackling this urgent need by developing a novel, differentiated class of antibiotics, offering promising solutions for both intravenous and oral treatments.
Platform
A new class of ribosome-targeting antibiotics
The oxepanoprolinamide (OPP) platform
Oxepanoprolinamides (OPPs) feature a unique molecular structure that ensures optimal binding within a specific site of the bacterial ribosome. This results in potent, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, both in vitro and in vivo, while effectively bypassing a wide range of pre-existing resistance mechanisms.
OPP Binding Site
PRECISE TARGETING OF THE BACTERIAL RIBOSOME
OPPs bind optimally within the Peptidyl Transferase Center (PTC) of the ribosome, disrupting protein synthesis and rendering bacteria non-viable.
The OPP Class of Antibacterials
RATIONAL DRUG DESIGN
The novel bridged macrobicyclic ring system of OPPs ensures optimal binding within the ribosome’s Peptidyl Transferase Center (PTC), resulting in potent antibacterial activity and excellent drug-like properties.
ON-TARGET, ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY
OPPs exhibit up to 300-fold greater binding affinity and potency compared to traditional ribosome-targeting antibiotics like clindamycin. This enhanced target engagement results in potent antibacterial activity against a broad range of clinically important bacterial pathogens.
Broad-Spectrum Activity
BROAD-SPECTRUM ACTIVITY
The OPPs exhibit excellent in vitro and in vivo activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, including challenging multidrug-resistant and pan-drug-resistant bacteria. The compound class also demonstrates activity against nontuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) associated with difficult to treat chronic respiratory infections.
Resistance Avoidance
RESISTANCE AVOIDANCE
The structural framework of OPPs is preorganized for optimal binding within the bacterial ribosome. This design effectively ‘bypasses’ a broad range of diverse, pre-existing resistance mechanisms, offering promising potential for clinical impact in drug resistant infections.
IV / Oral Administration
IV / ORAL ADMINISTRATION
The OPPs offer excellent potential for both oral and intravenous drug delivery, addressing the critical need for IV-oral step-down therapies. Dual routes of administration will reduce hospitalizations, shorten inpatient care durations, and effectively manage chronic bacterial infections.
PLATFORM AND PIPELINE EXPANSION
The OPP chemistry platform offers significant expansion and synthetic scalability, allowing us to build our pipeline into new programs and clinical indications.
Through advanced rational drug design, Kinvard Bio has developed a differentiated class of therapeutics targeting the bacterial ribosome. This approach engages a clinically validated target in a unique way, positioning Kinvard Bio to address the global challenges of acute and chronic bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance.
Pipeline
A Pipeline Focused on Patient Need and Commercial Potential
Tackling challenging acute and chronic bacterial infections
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KV-001Lead Optimization (LO) stage: Hospital-Acquired and Ventilator-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (HABP/VABP) and complicated Urinary Tract Infections (cUTI). This focus on Gram-negative bacteria addresses some of the most challenging and resistant pathogens in healthcare.
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KV-002Advancing through lead optimization (LO) towards the Investigational New Drug (IND) stage for Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP) and Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSIs). Our efforts target all major CABP/ABSSSI pathogens, including those resistant to known antibiotics.
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KV-003Our discovery stage program is progressing the OPPs in additional clinical indications associated with high unmet patient need and commercial potential. This includes chronic respiratory diseases such as nontuberculosis mycobacterial lung disease (NTM-LD).
Hospital Acquired and Ventilator Associated Bacterial Pneumonia (HABP / VABP)
- Global HABP incidence: 5 to 10 cases per 1,000 adult hospital admissions.
- Global VABP incidence: >20M patients globally receive mechanical ventilation each year.
- VAP affects 10–25% of all patients on mechanical ventilation.
- Global mortality: HABP: 20–30%; VAP: 20–50%.
- Worldwide, HABP and VABP are recognized as the primary causes of mortality stemming from hospital-acquired infections (accounting for 22% of all healthcare-acquired infections in the US).
- Significant need for a non carbapenem, non- BL/BLI, IV with oral step-down option to avoid hospitalization or enable earlier discharge.
Complicated Urinary Tract Infections (cUTI)
- 405,000,000 cases, 236,790 deaths, and 520,200 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally9.
- Each hospitalization for cUTI in US costs ~$21,00010.
- Increasing incidence of multidrug resistance to Gram-negative Enterobacterales (main cause of cUTIs)11.
- The WHO has categorized multidrug resistant Enterobacterales as a global critical threat. High cross-resistance among currently available oral treatments limits outpatient treatment options12.
- Global treatment market was $9.2B in 2023, with a 5.76% CAGR (2023 to 2033).
- Significant need for a non-carbapenem, non-BL/BLI, IV with oral step-down option to reduce reliance on “last resort” carbopenems, avoid hospitalization or enable earlier discharge.
- Hospital costs are reduced by ~$4,000 per patient for each 1-day reduction in length of hospital stay10.
Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP) and Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSI)
- 8th leading cause of death and the most infectious cause of death globally4.
- Responsible for 3 million deaths annually5.
- Leading cause of death for children under five.
- Leads to >1.5m hospitalizations / year in the US, with annual medical costs >$10bn p.a.6.
- Almost 9% of US patients hospitalized with CABP recur, and are hospitalized again, within a year7.
- Global treatment market was $5B in 2023 with a 5.3% CAGR (2023 to 2033)5.
- Global prevalence increasing due to aging population, COPD, smoking and pollution8.
- Significant need for a differentiated treatment class / MoA, IV with oral step-down option to avoid/reduce hospitalization and enable earlier hospital discharge.
Chronic Respiratory Infections (NTM Lung Disease)
- 180,000 people in the US estimated to have lung disease at any given time; rising by 8% annually13.
- Global prevalence estimated at 7 per 100,000 population and increasing; chronic conditions such as bronchiectasis, COPD, and cystic fibrosis increase risk14.
- Mortality rate for NTM pulmonary disease is between 10-48% in the US; averages 27% globally15.
- Chronic respiratory infections treated in outpatient setting, but recent clinical failures have resulted in lack of oral options.
- Recurrence rates as high as 41%, averaging 1.5 years after successful treatment16.
- Global treatment market was $12.4B in 2022 with a 5.4% CAGR (2023 to 2031).
- M. abscessus (MAB): 15k US patients, no approved treatments.
- M. avium complex (MAC): 50k US patients, 1 approved drug (inhaled Arikayce, sales >$300m/year, poor adherence due to severe side effects).
Team
- Management
- Advisory Board
- Board of Directors
Leadership Team
Kelvin Wu, Ph.D.
Co-founder & Director, Platform Development
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Ph.D. Chemistry, Harvard University
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B.A. Natural Sciences (Physical), Cambridge University
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Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
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