GlaxoSmithKline and Anacor announce expanded partnership

GlaxoSmithKline has expanded its research collaboration with Anacor in order to cover a wider number of diseases.

Under the terms of the newly amended deal, GlaxoSmithKline will be provided with the option to extend its rights around the bacterial enzyme target leucyl-tRNA synthetase, while adding new tuberculosis and malaria programmes using Anacor's boron chemistry platform.

This will see Anacor receive a $5 million (3.12 million pounds) upfront payment and research funding of up to $11.3 million by the end of 2012, as well as additional milestone-based fees.

It extends a partnership that has been in place since October 2007, centring on the development of boron-based systemic anti-infectives against four discovery targets.

David Perry, chief executive officer of Anacor Pharmaceuticals, said: "This amendment allows us to continue our work in neglected diseases and provides additional financial resources for our lead clinical programmes."

This comes after GlaxoSmithKline purchased a minority stake in Autifony Therapeutics, a UK-based spin-out company that specialises in treatments for hearing loss.