PALO ALTO, Calif., March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Anacor Pharmaceuticals
today announced results from a Phase 2a clinical trial of AN2728, an
investigational topical anti-inflammatory drug, in patients with psoriasis.
The study met its primary endpoint and all secondary endpoints.
In 69 percent of patients, the area treated with AN2728 scored better
at the end of therapy than the area treated with the vehicle ointment,
compared with six percent of patients in whom the vehicle-treated areas
were superior. These results were statistically significant (p<0.001). No
drug-related safety issues were reported.
"The results of this study suggest that AN2728 can effectively treat
psoriasis in a clinical setting. In addition, plaques treated with AN2728
continued to improve over the course of the 28 days of therapy, suggesting
longer-term treatment may have an even greater effect," said Karl R.
Beutner, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of
Anacor. "These results are encouraging for both AN2728 and our entire
anti-inflammatory program."
AN2728 is a novel boron-containing small molecule that inhibits the
release of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha, IL-12, and
IL-23, known mediators of the inflammation associated with psoriasis.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was designed to
evaluate the safety and efficacy of an ointment containing a 5%
concentration of AN2728 with patient self-application. Patients with
psoriasis commonly have similar areas of psoriasis on their left and right,
or front and back sides. The study took advantage of this bilateral
characteristic of psoriasis. In this trial, 35 patients treated one of
their areas of psoriasis with AN2728 ointment, and a matching area on the
opposite side with vehicle alone, twice a day for four weeks.
In addition to this Phase 2a study, two Phase 1b dose-ranging trials
have investigated the effects of concentration and formulation on drug
efficacy. These earlier trials demonstrated significant activity even at a
0.5% concentration of AN2728, the lowest concentration tested.
About Psoriasis
Affecting approximately 10 million people worldwide, psoriasis is an
inflammation of the skin caused by a reaction of the immune system. It is
characterized by thickened patches of inflamed, red skin covered with
thick, silvery scales typically found at the elbows, knees, scalp and
genital areas.
About Anacor Pharmaceuticals
Anacor is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel small molecule
therapeutics derived from its boron chemistry platform. Anacor has focused
initially on developing topical applications of its compounds to treat
fungal, bacterial and inflammatory diseases. Anacor's most advanced product
candidate is AN2690, a novel topical antifungal in development for the
treatment of toenail onychomycosis, which is a fungal infection of the nail
and nail bed. Anacor entered into a worldwide license, development and
commercialization agreement for AN2690 with Schering-Plough for all
indications including the treatment of onychomycosis. Anacor also has a
research and development collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline for the
discovery, development, manufacture and worldwide commercialization of
novel systemic therapeutics for viral and bacterial diseases utilizing
Anacor's boron-based chemistry. For more information visit
http://www.anacor.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including
statements regarding the progress and timing of our clinical trials and the
safety and efficacy of our product candidates. These statements relate to
future events and 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. Some factors that may affect these
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, delays in the
completion of our clinical trials, clinical failure at later stages of
development and undesirable effects from our product 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.
SOURCE Anacor Pharmaceuticals
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Related links:
http://www.anacor.com
CONTACT:
Nicole Foderaro of WeissComm Partners,
+1-415-946-1058, nfoderaro@wcpglobal.com, for Anacor
Pharmaceuticals
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