NKA Bio
NKA Bio is a Baltimore-based biotech startup developing NKA01, a monoclonal antibody anti-shock treatment delivered via prefilled syringe for administration by EMS at the point of injury to stabilize hemorrhagic shock patients during transport to trauma centers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What NKA Bio does
NKA Bio is a private biotechnology startup founded in 2023 and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, that develops monoclonal antibody therapeutics for trauma care. The company's lead program, NKA01, is an anti-shock toxin antibody formulated as a prefilled syringe designed for administration by emergency medical services (EMS) at the point of injury to stabilize hemorrhagic shock patients during transport to trauma centers. The therapeutic approach targets the body's lethal shock response to injury rather than the underlying trauma. The technology is grounded in decades of NIH-funded research by the late Dr. Donald S. Gann, the first Director of Emergency Medicine at Johns Hopkins.
The company operates from Lab 317 at the LifeBridge Health BioIncubator in Baltimore, with R&D facilities equipped for antibody engineering and assay development supported by an in silico platform led by CTO Lewis C. Hibbs III. NKA01 is currently at the proof-of-concept in vivo stage with a lead candidate selected, and the company has stated a target to enter the clinic within 18 months. The clinical advisory bench includes Dr. Ernest E. Moore (trauma and clinical trials) and Dr. Jack Ingari (military medicine).
The business model is currently grant-driven and non-dilutive, with revenue consisting of a $1.25M AFWERX SBIR Phase II contract awarded in November 2025 plus a prior smaller round. Future commercial revenue is expected from sales of NKA01 to U.S. military medical services, civilian EMS systems, and hospital trauma centers, with a planned pipeline expansion involving the World Health Organization for global health applications. The company is led by CEO Susan Gann Hibbs and CTO Lewis C. Hibbs III, with regulatory and CMC leadership from Les E. Johnson.
NKA Bio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NKA Bio
- Legal name
- NKA Bio, Inc.
- Website
- https://nkabio.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- NKA Bio is a Baltimore-based biotech startup developing NKA01, a monoclonal antibody anti-shock treatment delivered via prefilled syringe for administration by EMS at the point of injury to stabilize hemorrhagic shock patients during transport to trauma centers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NKA Bio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biopharmaceuticals — Trauma Therapeutics
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics (mAbs) (HLAAAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- CMC & Pharmaceutical Development (Formulation/Process/Analytical Development) (HLAIALAD)
Keywords
Where NKA Bio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
NKA Bio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government/Defense Contracts: Revenue from SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) contracts with defense agencies like AFWERX for development of trauma treatments for military applications. Currently $1.25M AFWERX Phase II contract.
- Pharmaceutical Product Sales: Future revenue from sale of NKA01 monoclonal antibody treatment to hospitals, trauma centers, and EMS systems for civilian and military trauma care.
- SBIR Phase Contracts: Non-dilutive funding through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program with AFWERX for developing lifesaving treatments for hemorrhagic shock.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
NKA Bio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NKA Bio develops NKA01, a monoclonal antibody therapeutic delivered in a temperature-stable, prefilled syringe designed to treat hemorrhagic shock at the point of injury. The product is intended for use by military medics and civilian EMS personnel in prehospital settings, addressing the underlying shock response to buy critical time before surgical intervention. The company is advancing NKA01 through preclinical and clinical milestones, supported by an AFWERX SBIR Phase II contract from the U.S. Air Force.
Product overview
NKA Bio is a single-product biotech company developing NKA01, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapeutic for trauma care. NKA01 is a prefilled syringe formulation of an anti-shock toxin antibody designed for field administration by EMS during standard treatment protocols. The product aims to stabilize trauma patients experiencing hemorrhagic shock at the point of injury, buying critical time for transport to definitive care. Development is currently at proof-of-concept in vivo stage with a prototype, with lead candidate selected and path to clinic targeted within 18 months.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- NKA01 NKA01 is a monoclonal antibody therapeutic delivered in a temperature-stable, prefilled syringe designed to treat hemorrhagic shock at the point of injury. It is intended for administration by military medics and civilian EMS personnel in prehospital settings, targeting the underlying shock biology to extend the window before surgical intervention. The product is being advanced toward clinical and regulatory milestones under an AFWERX SBIR Phase II contract from the U.S. Air Force.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90,000 trauma patients die annually before reaching hospital
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use NKA Bio
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
NKA Bio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
NKA Bio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Techstars Industries of the Future AcceleratorflagshipNKA Bio selected for Techstars Industries of the Future Accelerator Cohort 3, gaining mentorship, Demo Day exposure, and connections to investors and industry partners. Participated in Knoxville community introduction events.
- LifeBridge Health BioIncubatorcoreNKA Bio operates from LifeBridge Health BioIncubator Lab 317 in Baltimore, gaining access to healthcare ecosystem, lab facilities, and clinical expertise. LifeBridge Health is a major regional health system.
- World Health Organization (WHO)minorNKA Bio is working with WHO as part of its pipeline development strategy, indicating potential for global health applications of the trauma treatment technology.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
NKA Bio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Kedrion Biopharma: Italian plasma-products company manufacturing biological therapeutics (plasma-derived coagulation factors, immunoglobulins) used in trauma, emergency, and critical care settings. Comparable to NKA Bio as a developer/manufacturer of biological therapies for trauma indications.
- Octapharma: Global producer of plasma-derived and recombinant biological products including coagulation factors used in trauma and emergency surgery. Comparable to NKA Bio as a major biological therapeutics manufacturer with overlapping trauma-care use cases.
- CSL Behring: World-leading plasma-derived and recombinant biologics franchise within CSL Limited, with broad trauma, critical care, and bleeding emergency products. Comparable to NKA Bio as an established biological therapeutics company operating in trauma and emergency medicine channels.
- Grifols: Major global plasma fractionator producing biological therapies (immunoglobulins, coagulation products) for trauma, critical care, and emergency indications. Comparable to NKA Bio as a plasma/biological therapeutics manufacturer with overlap in trauma and emergency end markets.
- Alexion (AstraZeneca Rare Disease): Developer of biologic (mAb and recombinant protein) therapies for rare, immune-mediated, and life-threatening conditions including complement-mediated critical illness. Comparable to NKA Bio as a developer of monoclonal antibody / biologic therapeutics for acute, critical indications.
Emerging players
- Pharming Group: Clinical-stage biotech commercializing recombinant protein (biologic) therapies for rare and acute indications, including acute hereditary angioedema attacks. Comparable to NKA Bio as a clinical-stage biotech commercializing biologic therapeutics for acute, life-threatening events.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
NKA Bio social profiles
Digital presenceNKA Bio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NKA Bio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
NKA Bio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NKA Bio M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NKA Bio
What does NKA Bio do?
NKA Bio develops NKA01, a monoclonal antibody therapeutic delivered in a temperature-stable, prefilled syringe designed to treat hemorrhagic shock at the point of injury. The product is intended for use by military medics and civilian EMS personnel in prehospital settings, addressing the underlying shock response to buy critical time before surgical intervention. The company is advancing NKA01 through preclinical and clinical milestones, supported by an AFWERX SBIR Phase II contract from the U.S. Air Force.
Is NKA Bio a public or private company?
NKA Bio is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was NKA Bio founded?
NKA Bio was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is NKA Bio based?
NKA Bio is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does NKA Bio make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government/Defense Contracts are the primary driver. The others are pharmaceutical Product Sales and SBIR Phase Contracts.
Who are NKA Bio's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Kedrion Biopharma, Octapharma, CSL Behring, Grifols and Alexion (AstraZeneca Rare Disease). Pharming Group is listed as an emerging player.
Does NKA Bio have an API?
No public API is recorded for NKA Bio.
What industry is NKA Bio in?
NKA Bio's product category is Biopharmaceuticals — Trauma Therapeutics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAAAA, Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics (mAbs), with a secondary code of HLAIALAD, CMC & Pharmaceutical Development (Formulation/Process/Analytical Development). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.