KBio Inc.

Merck to use KBio’s plant-derived recombinant aprotinin for three years LONDON, October 21, 2024 – KBio, one of the leading developers of new biological treatments derived from a plant-based production system, and Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced a three-year supply agreement with KBio to produce recombinant aprotinin, which is produced in Nicotiana benthamiana using the Company’s proprietary plant-based platform. Merck will be using aprotinin for expanding the animal free offerings of inhibitor products to their research customers. Aprotinin, or bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, is a potent serine protease inhibitor that requires intricate folding to form an active and highly stable conformation. Aprotinin’s protease inhibitory activities are highly attractive and broadly used in a wide variety of in vitro applications. For example, aprotinin is widely used to improve recombinant protein recovery during cell fermentation, preserve protein and peptide integrity in complex biological samples such as blood, stabilize biological sutures and three-dimensional scaffold structures for tissue growth, and enhance stem cell growth in vitro while maintaining pluripotent potential. The availability of animal-free, high-activity and consistently sourced aprotinin will serve these existing markets while promoting more innovative use of this protease inhibitor in a variety of in vitro and cell-culture applications. “We’re delighted to enter this agreement and supply Merck with aprotinin, developed utilizing our novel plant-based platform,” said Barry Bratcher, cofounder and acting chief executive officer at KBio. “Our engineering process allows us to produce high-quality proteins in an unprecedented 8-10 weeks using our vertical grow towers. Our cost-effective approach requires lower space, water, and energy consumption. We look forward to supporting Merck on their important work.” There is an increased demand for animal free products and this partnership with KBio is part of Merck’s strategy to move away from animal sources. KBio aims to create a new generation of biologics using its plant-based platform, which has demonstrated the ability to create drug candidates at a fraction of the time and cost of conventional platforms. The Company is focused on discovering and developing monoclonal antibodies targeting validated pathways for immunological diseases and due to the speed and accuracy of its antibody production system, is positioned well to develop fast follower therapies against validated drug targets. KBio’s plant-based platform also has unique capabilities for addressing public health challenges where rapid development and large-scale production of vaccines and other bioactives are critical. Through a third-party partner, the Company is working with several health organizations that are funding its public health-specific pipeline. Formed in December 2021, KBio is a subsidiary of BAT with operations in the UK and U.S. For more information, please visit www.kbio.com. KBio Media Contact Andrew W. Mielach LifeSci Communications amielach@lifescicomms.com KBio Inc is a wholly owned subsidiary of KBio Holdings Limited, a BAT Group company.

Agreement combines drug discovery and plant-based platform expertise to accelerate discovery and development of a new generation of biologics-based medicines for areas of high unmet need KBio secures rights to ZabBio’s current monoclonal antibody (mAb) pipeline and associated intellectual property as well as rights to future products LONDON and SAN DIEGO, Sept. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KBio, a leading developer of new biological treatments derived from a plant-based production system, today announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with ZabBio to develop a new generation of mAbs, as well as advance the development of select assets within ZabBio’s current mAb pipeline. Patrick Doyle, CEO of KBio, commented, “This partnership allows us to expand and build on our successful track record of working with ZabBio over the past decade. Through this partnership, we will significantly increase our in-house research and development capabilities, combining our extensive expertise to discover and develop a new generation of biologics-based medicines for a broad range of high unmet needs. ZabBio’s remarkable ability to identify antibody candidates suitable for our unique plant-based platform will be integral to expanding our growing pipeline. Utilising our unique technology, we believe we could address some of today’s major challenges in protein drug development with a goal of significantly reducing the time and cost currently required.” Dr. Kevin Whaley, CEO of ZabBio, commented, “The ZabBio team is well-versed in KBio’s plant-based platform and the exciting potential of the antibody therapeutics derived from this unique technology. We are excited to join forces with the KBio discovery team in San Diego to continue to create and accelerate the development of novel mAb therapies. Together, we have the potential to make a positive health impact by expanding future availability of effective mAb treatments globally.” Under the terms of the agreement, KBio will have development rights to select assets within ZabBio’s current pipeline of antibody therapies and associated intellectual property – including a late-stage preclinical anti-fungal mAb – as well as future products discovered under the collaboration. Ends About KBioKBio aims to create a new generation of biologics using its plant-based platform that has demonstrated the ability to create drug candidates at a fraction of the time and cost of conventional platforms. It is focused on developing novel product candidates in two core areas: 1) antibody therapies for areas of high unmet need; and 2) pandemic preparedness and response using its plant-based production system to create antibodies and vaccines in shorter timeframes than industry norms. KBio is comprised of KBio Holdings Limited, a UK-incorporated subsidiary of BAT, and its subsidiary, KBio Inc., which conducts its operations in the U.S. For more information, please visit www.kbio.com. About ZabBio, Inc.ZabBio, Inc. is a privately held company in San Diego, CA dedicated to developing monoclonal antibody-based products that address unmet needs in infectious diseases and reproductive health. For more information, please visit www.zabbio.com. Investor Contact: Shabnam BashirSolebury Strategic Communicationssbashir@soleburystrat.com Media Contacts: Julia DeutschSolebury Strategic Communications jdeutsch@soleburystrat.com Claire WisbeyBATClaire_brough@bat.com

KBio will leverage BAT’s existing capabilities to advance its plant-based technology and existing clinical and pre-clinical pipeline Quality Assurance and Control Certification More than 20 publication on bioanalytical methods and plant-based proteins Ph.D. in Bioanalytical Chemistry from University of Kentucky BAT today announced the launch of KBio Holdings Limited (KBio) to accelerate the research, development and production of novel treatments. KBio will leverage the existing and extensive plant-based technology capabilities of BAT and Kentucky BioProcessing Inc (KBP), the existing BAT-owned US plant biologics organisation. KBio will explore new opportunities to develop its plant-based production system, which has the potential to offer greater speed, scale-up opportunity and thermostability. The new company will focus on delivering treatments for rare and infectious diseases by realising and expanding the potential of both the plant-based technology platform, as well as its existing clinical and pre-clinical vaccines and antibody pipeline. KBio will look to form innovative R&D collaborations and financing aimed at expanding its pipeline and future portfolio, with an ambition of financial self-sufficiency. Supporting the company’s future plans, a standalone operational structure for KBio is being established. This includes building a new executive leadership team led by Patrick Doyle as the Chief Executive Officer of KBio. Mr. Doyle brings more than 20 years of experience leading innovative biotech companies. Patrick Doyle, CEO at KBio, said: “I am excited by the opportunity to build on the significant accomplishments made by BAT and KBP. I am confident in the potential of KBio’s powerful plant-based platform, capabilities and emerging early-stage pipeline. To-date, the technology has demonstrated its ability to produce novel antibody and vaccine candidates with high purity at a fraction of the time and cost of current technologies. The speed and efficiency demonstrated by the KBio platform has significant potential. This could enable us to progress to clinical studies faster than industry norms, in the hope of delivering treatment solutions more quickly.” Dr. David O’Reilly, BAT’s Director of Scientific Research, said: “Science and innovation are fundamental to BAT and delivering on our purpose of building A Better Tomorrow. We recognise the potential of our innovative plant-based technology and have established KBio to maximise that potential. We are excited to see what the future holds.” Full article PATRICK DOYLE BIO Patrick Doyle brings more than 20 years of leadership experience within pharmaceutical and biotech companies to his new role as CEO of KBio. He is a proven leader with a track record of innovation, talent development, and a deep knowledge of pharmaceutical development, M&A and pathways to successful commercialisation. He most recently served as CEO of Stelexis Therapeutics in New York, a biotech company with a proprietary platform to discover and selectively target pre-cancerous stem cells. Mr. Doyle has also been responsible for multiple financings and strategic exits of biotechs of various stages of development. During his Big Pharma tenure, he led an international group of corporate development executives executing several large alliances in Asia and Japan. Patrick is originally from the UK, and has worked in the UK, Switzerland, California and more recently in New York City. He has a BSc in Pharmacology from the University of Sunderland. ABOUT KBIO KBio aims to create a new generation of biotech solutions using its plant-based platform that has demonstrated an ability to create drug candidates at a fraction of the time and cost of current platforms. The company is focused on developing novel product candidates in two core areas: 1) Antibody therapies for areas of high unmet need; and 2) Pandemic preparedness and response for future pandemics using its plant-based production system to create antibodies and vaccines in shorter timeframes than industry norms. Formed in 2021 KBio is based in the UK and is a subsidiary of BAT For more information, please visit www.kbio.com KBio Inc is a wholly owned subsidiary of KBio Holdings Limited, a BAT Group company.