PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Anacor Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ANAC) announced today that the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) has been awarded $718,136 in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to discover and optimize novel oxaboroles as antimalarial drugs in collaboration with Anacor Pharmaceuticals. The NIH grant provides support for the period beginning September 30, 2011 and ending September 29, 2012.
Anacor’s work with UCSF to discover new antimalarial agents is in addition to Anacor’s collaboration with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) to develop AN3661, a novel boron-based antimalarial compound that is currently in preclinical trials, and a funded research program to discover backup compounds for AN3661. Anacor and MMV plan to conduct Phase 1 and Phase 2 proof of concept studies for AN3661, at which point GSK will have the option to license the program on an exclusive worldwide basis.
About Malaria
Malaria is a preventable and treatable infectious disease caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. The disease kills almost one million people each year, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa, where malaria is the leading cause of death for children under five.
Malaria is not only a major killer in Africa but a primary cause of death and poverty - undermining development in some of the poorest countries in the world. Though the majority of the cases and the malaria deaths are found in Sub-Saharan Africa, the disease is present in Asia and Latin America.
While there are antimalarial medications available, the malaria parasite is developing resistance to them, rendering current drugs ineffective and driving the demand for innovative new therapies.
About Anacor Pharmaceuticals
Anacor is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel small-molecule therapeutics derived from its boron chemistry platform. Anacor has five compounds in clinical development, all of which were internally discovered, including its three lead programs: AN2690, a topical antifungal for the treatment of onychomycosis; AN2728, a topical anti-inflammatory PDE-4 inhibitor for the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis; and GSK 2251052, or GSK ‘052 (formerly referred to as AN3365), a systemic antibiotic for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, which has been licensed to GlaxoSmithKline under the companies' research and development agreement. In addition, Anacor is developing AN2718 as a topical antifungal product candidate for the treatment of onychomycosis and skin fungal infections, and AN2898 as a topical anti-inflammatory product candidate for the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that relate to future events, including the successful completion of preclinical, Phase 1 and human proof of concept studies for AN3661. These forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause timing, actual levels of activity, performance or achievement to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including risks related to enrollment and successful completion of our trials, risk of unforeseen side effects and risks related to regulatory approval of new drug candidates. These statements reflect the views of Anacor as of the date of this press release with respect to future events and, except as required by law, it undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this press release.
CONTACT:
Anacor Pharmaceuticals
DeDe Sheel, 650-543-7575
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
[email protected]
KEYWORDS: United States North America California
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Biotechnology Infectious Diseases Pharmaceutical Other Health Research Other Science Science
MEDIA: