Anacor Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Results From Phase 2 Dose-Ranging Study of AN2728 in Adolescents With Atopic Dermatitis

Anacor Will Host a Conference Call Today 8am ET / 5am PT to Discuss Results

PALO ALTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Anacor Pharmaceuticals (NAS: ANAC) today announced positive results from a Phase 2 dose-ranging trial (AN2728-AD-204) of its topical boron-based phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor, AN2728. The study included 86 adolescents (ages 12 – 17) with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis, a chronic rash which predominantly affects children and is characterized by inflammation and itching. In this study, lesions treated with AN2728 ointment, 2.0% twice daily for 28 days achieved a 71% improvement from baseline in their Atopic Dermatitis Severity Index (ADSI) score, with 66% of lesions in this treatment group achieving total or partial clearance. AN2728 was generally safe and well-tolerated. Most adverse events were mild and largely unrelated to study drug.

“These results demonstrate a clear dose response across the four dosing regimens and identify the AN2728 ointment, 2.0% BID dosing regimen as optimal for a Phase 3 program, which we expect to initiate around the end of 2013,” said David Perry, Chief Executive Officer of Anacor Pharmaceuticals. “In all arms of the study, lesions treated with AN2728 ointment improved throughout the 28 day treatment period. The majority of the improvement occurred within the first week of treatment, which is important to both patients and physicians. AN2728 also continues to demonstrate an excellent safety profile – a key factor in treating this disease that primarily affects children.”

“There is a tremendous clinical need for safe and effective treatments for pediatric atopic dermatitis. It is very exciting to see these promising positive data for a novel molecule with excellent anti-inflammatory properties and that appears very safe to use,” said Lawrence F. Eichenfield, M.D., Chief of Pediatric and Adolescent Dermatology and Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine (Dermatology) at Rady Children’s Hospital, University of California, San Diego. “AN2728 has the potential to be an outstanding addition to the treatment armamentarium for physicians and a great benefit to children with atopic dermatitis.”

The Phase 2 randomized, double-blind, bilateral study enrolled adolescent patients with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis. Patients were randomized 1:1 to either once daily (QD) or twice daily (BID) application for 28 days. Patients were instructed to apply AN2728 ointment, 2.0% to one target lesion and AN2728 ointment, 0.5% to a comparable target lesion. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline ADSI score, which is …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance