GlaxoSmithKline and Anacor Pharmaceuticals Form Alliance to Develop Systemic Antivirals and Antibiotics Based on Boron...( - Innovative approach to developing ...)

- Innovative approach to developing anti-infective medicines provides hope

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PALO ALTO, Calif. and LONDON, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Anacor Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline today announced that they have entered into a worldwide strategic alliance for the discovery, development and commercialization of novel medicines for viral and bacterial diseases. The collaboration provides GlaxoSmithKline access to Anacor's proprietary boron-based chemistry for use against selected targets.

GlaxoSmithKline will participate in the alliance through its Infectious Diseases Centre of Excellence for Drug Discovery (ID CEDD). Under the terms of the agreement, Anacor will grant GlaxoSmithKline options to select product candidates developed under the collaboration that are directed to up to four discovery targets and with the potential for at least eight product options. Anacor will primarily be responsible for the discovery and development of boron-containing small molecule drug candidates through clinical proof of concept, at which point GlaxoSmithKline will have an exclusive option to license each compound for further development and commercialization on a worldwide basis. Anacor will have the right to further develop and commercialize compounds for which GlaxoSmithKline does not exercise its option. Anacor will receive a $12 million upfront payment and a $10 million equity financing commitment from GlaxoSmithKline. Contingent on achieving certain milestones, Anacor is eligible to receive discovery, development, regulatory and commercial milestones ranging up to $252 million and $331 million for each product candidate. If GlaxoSmithKline exercises its option at the proof of concept stage, Anacor will receive tiered double digit royalties, which are dependent on sales achieved.

Boron has been a relatively underutilized element in pharmaceutical products, in part due to a lack of naturally occurring boron
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