Schering-Plough signs deal with Anacor

Schering-Plough has announced that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with Anacor Pharmaceuticals for the development and commercialisation of a topical antifungal therapy, AN2690.

AN2690 is currently undergoing phase II clinical trials to test its safety and efficacy as a treatment for onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nail and nail bed.

The company has cited this deal as the latest in a number of recent collaboration agreements for the licensing, development and commercialisation of a number of compounds.

Other recent agreements noted by the company include recently formed partnerships with PTC Therapeutics, Novartis, Santarus, Braintree Laboratories and others.

Fred Hassan, chairman and chief executive officer of Schering-Plough, said: “The addition of AN2690 builds on our growing strength in anti-infective treatment and brings another important innovation into our pipeline of treatments responding to the needs of physicians and their patients.”

He added that the firm would continue to focus its efforts on licensing and business development, with the aim of having half its research and development pipeline consisting of products innovated from outside the company.

Last week, Schering-Plough announced the appointment of Shaju Backer as general manager of the company in Australia and New Zealand, based in Sydney.