San Francisco-based Anthera Pharmaceuticals has entered into a licensing agreement with Eli Lilly and Company and Shionogi & Co., Ltd., gaining Anthera worldwide rights (except Japan) to develop and commercialize clinical and preclinical inhibitors of phospholipase A2.
These compounds are potential anti-inflammatory drug candidates that may be used to treat life-threatening diseasessuch as acute lung injury, atherosclerosis, and psoriasis.
"We are excited to have the opportunity to move this novel anti- inflammatory program forward in a new direction which leverages the extensive Lilly and Shionogi experience.
Recent developments in the understanding of the biological activity of phospholipases and inflammation provide the opportunity for a renewed scientific approach with this program," stated Paul F. Truex, President and CEO of Anthera.
Anthera will initiate clinical studies later this year for A-001 (previously known as LY315920/S-5920) a potential early intervention therapy for acute chest syndrome in patients with underlying sickle cell disease.
Source: Anthera
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