Kineta, Inc. is a Seattle, WA-based clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel immunotherapies in oncology and neuroscience. Led by Shawn Iadonato, PhD, its lead program is KVA12.1, an anti‑VISTA antibody in development for the treatment of solid tumors. Proceeds from the $10M financing will advance KVA12.1 toward an IND filing with the US FDA in 2022. Preclinical studies cited by the company show single‑agent anti‑VISTA activity and improved efficacy in combination with PD‑1, PD‑L1 or CTLA‑4 inhibitors through reprogramming suppressive myeloid cells and enhancing T cell effector function. The company is eligible to receive up to $25M in additional financing prior to the end of 2021 to further advance its pipeline. An investor representative from Cheongbo Industrial Co., Ltd. will be appointed to Kineta’s board, and Kineta executives will join the Cheongbo board. Kineta, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company headquartered in Seattle focused on developing novel immunotherapies in oncology, neuroscience and biodefense and advancing antiviral candidates. Its lead program, LHF-535, is described as a first-in-class antiviral with potent activity against Lassa fever and other arenaviruses that inhibits viral entry and suppresses replication. The company reported positive Phase 1a clinical study results in healthy volunteers. The recent funding is intended to support a Phase 1b multiple ascending dose (MAD) clinical trial. Kineta aims to position LHF-535 for Phase 2 evaluation in Lassa fever patients, an area with no approved treatments. The company is led by CEO Shawn Iadonato. Kineta is a Seattle, WA-based biotechnology company. Led by Founder and CEO Charles Magness, PhD, it maintains a five-compound pipeline with its lead program, ShK-186, currently in a Phase 1B clinical trial for psoriatic arthritis. The company is the major subcontractor on a University of Washington project that received an NIH grant of up to $11.6M to develop novel vaccine adjuvants. Kineta received an investment from angelMD and its physician-led investor network; the amount and the instrument were not disclosed in reporting. The article does not provide operating metrics such as revenue or headcount. Kineta is a Seattle-based, privately held biotechnology company focused on clinical advancement of novel immunotherapeutic and antiviral drug candidates. Its lead programs cited in the article are ShK-186, an immune-sparing targeted therapeutic for autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis and lupus nephritis, and rOAS, a pan-viral host-directed antiviral targeting influenza, West Nile virus, Dengue and other pathogens. The company also has a separate program profiled for non‑narcotic severe pain relief. Kineta’s business model emphasizes targeting unmet medical needs and rapid achievement of clinical milestones. RLB Holdings has provided multiple investments to accelerate Kineta’s clinical development and to fund manufacturing for an upcoming rOAS clinical trial. Since its launch in 2008, Kineta has raised more than $40 million. Kineta is advancing ShK-186, a first-in-class biologic that selectively targets effector memory T-cells to treat type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Animal studies reported efficacy without causing generalized immunosuppression. The company is collaborating with K. George Chandy, M.D., Ph.D., and Jonathan Lakey, Ph.D., of UC Irvine on development protocols. Kineta announced second-year funding from The Iacocca Family Foundation to accelerate preclinical work on ShK-186. Kineta plans first-in-human trials scheduled for late 2011. The company is a privately held Seattle-based firm focused on rapid achievement of clinical milestones for immunotherapeutics.

Total raised

$12M

Funding rounds

6

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Jun 2021