AN2 Therapeutics Signs License Agreement with the University of Georgia Research Foundation to Develop Novel Boron-Based Therapy for Chagas Disease

AN2 Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for rare, chronic, and serious infectious diseases with high unmet needs, today announced that it has received an exclusive license from the University of Georgia Research Foundation to advance the development of a boron-containing small molecule for Chagas disease. These boron-based molecules were originally discovered by researchers at Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer) and the University of Georgia, with grant funding from Wellcome. The lead compound under this series, AN2-502998 (formerly known as AN15368), was discovered in close collaboration with Professor Rick Tarleton, Ph.D., University of Georgia, an expert in Chagas disease and Trypanosoma cruzi biology. To date, preclinical activities have been supported using non dilutive grant funding from Wellcome and are conducted in partnership with Professor Tarleton.

“AN2-502998 has the potential to be a game-changer for the treatment of individuals infected with T. cruzi, and at risk of developing clinical Chagas disease, which affects over 7 million people worldwide,” said Eric Easom, Co-Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of AN2 Therapeutics. “AN2-502998 is the only compound to date that demonstrates complete cures of infection in non-human primates with long-term, naturally acquired chronic infections of diverse T. cruzi genetic types. Professor Tarleton and scientists from AN2 have advanced this research, and with IND-enabling preclinical studies for AN2-502998 well underway, and this license in hand, we are excited to further develop AN2-502998 as a potential treatment for Chagas disease.”

“AN2-502998, previously published under AN15368, is the only compound to have demonstrated complete curative activity in rigorous tests in multiple species, including in non-human primates with chronic infections. Chagas disease is one of the major causes of infection-induced myocarditis worldwide and available therapies, introduced over 50 years ago, have undependable efficacy and significant side effects,” said Professor Rick Tarleton, Ph.D., Regents Professor in the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and the Department of Cellular Biology at the University of Georgia. “We are excited to continue the highly productive collaboration that identified this compound toward eventual use in humans. I am optimistic that AN2-502998 has the potential to be a solution for those infected with T. cruzi and at risk for development of debilitating and life-threatening Chagas disease.”