GlaxoSmithKline pays $15 million to exercise option on Anacor's novel antibiotic; and $5 million milestone to Isis Pharma

UK drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline says it has exercised its option to obtain an exclusive licence to develop and commercialize GSK2251052 (GSK '052), formerly known as AN3365, a novel, systemic antibiotic derived from Anacor Pharmaceutical's boron chemistry platform.

Under the terms of the deal, Anacor will receive an option exercise fee of $15 million and is eligible for further development and commercialization milestones and royalties on any future product sales. GSK will now assume responsibility for further development of the compound and any resulting commercialisation.

In early stage studies, GSK '052 has shown robust activity against multi-resistant gram-negative bacteria with no cross resistance to existing classes of antibiotics. GSK '052 will be developed as a potential treatment for complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI), complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs), and hospital/ventilator-associated pneumonia (HAP/VAP).