PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Anacor Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ANAC) announced today that it has completed enrollment in its Phase 2b trial of AN2728, a topical anti-inflammatory product candidate for the treatment of psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects approximately 7.5 million people in the United States and over 100 million people worldwide. AN2728 is a boron-based small-molecule compound which inhibits the activity of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), thereby reducing the production of TNF-alpha, IL-12, IL-23 and other pro-inflammatory cytokines that are the precursors of the inflammation associated with psoriasis.
The Phase 2b trial is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AN2728 in patients with mild to moderate plaque-type psoriasis and is being conducted under anticipated Phase 3 conditions. This double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled trial has enrolled 68 patients with mild to moderate plaque-type psoriasis at ten centers in the United States. Patients have been randomized to 2% AN2728 topical ointment or vehicle in a 2:1 ratio and will apply the ointment twice daily for 12 weeks. Given its size, the trial is not designed to demonstrate statistical differentiation of AN2728 from vehicle, but to inform the size and design of the two planned pivotal Phase 3 trials for AN2728.
“We are pleased with how quickly we have completed enrollment in this study, and we now expect to have AN2728 final Phase 2b data in psoriasis in mid-2011,” said David Perry, Chief Executive Officer of Anacor Pharmaceuticals. “We believe the speed at which we completed enrollment in this study reflects both the prevalence of the disease and the demand for a novel, safe and effective topical therapy.”
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 discovered five clinical compounds, including its three lead programs currently in development: AN2690, a topical antifungal for the treatment of onychomycosis; AN2728, a topical anti-inflammatory PDE-4 inhibitor for the treatment of psoriasis; 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. For more information visit http://www.anacor.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements that relate to future events including the development and commercialization of AN2728, and more specifically, the conduct of the AN2728 Phase 2b and potential Phase 3 programs. These forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual levels of activity, performance or achievement to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including risks related to 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.
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Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
DeDe Sheel, 650-543-7575
Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
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INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Biotechnology Clinical Trials Pharmaceutical Research Science
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