Anacor Pharmaceuticals, focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of small-molecule therapeutics, today announced that the first patient has been enrolled for the phase IIb trial of the company’s topical anti-inflammatory product, AN2728, for the treatment of psoriasis.

AN2728 inhibits the activity of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), which reduces the precursors associated with inflammation with psoriasis. Anacor will conduct the phase IIb trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AN2728 in patients with mild to moderate plaque-type psoriasis and will be conducted under anticipated phase III conditions.

Anacor plans to enroll 60 patients with mild to moderate plaque-type psoriasis who will be randomized to 2% AN2728 topical ointment or vehicle in a 2:1 ratio, administered twice daily for 12 weeks. The company expects results of the phase IIb trial in the second half of 2011.

Anacor also announced the results of its phase I absorption trial for AN2728, which evaluated the topical pharmacokinetics, systemic safety, and local tolerability in 16 healthy volunteers. The company reported that 2% AN2728 topical ointment was well-tolerated, with no serious or adverse side effects reported.

David Perry, CEO of Anacor, said previous trials have shown AN2728’s potential for psoriasis treatment.

“AN2728 has reached its key endpoints in the seven clinical trials we have conducted thus far,” Perry stated in the press release. “With the encouraging results from the phase I absorption trial and the timely dosing of the first patient in this phase IIb trial, we are on track with our plan to develop a novel, safe and effective topical therapy for the millions of patients who suffer from psoriasis.”

For more information visit www.anacor.com

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