The original agreement was signed in April 2010 to apply Anacor’s boron chemistry to identify new medicines to treat malaria.
As per the expanded agreement, MMV will provide additional funding to allow completion of the Phase 1 clinical trials and a human proof-of-concept study in malaria.
Anacor CEO David Perry said AN3661 appears to be acting through a novel mechanism of action, having shown potent activity against the Plasmodium falciparum parasites which are known to have resistance to a number of front-line antimalarial drugs.
"This orally delivered compound has demonstrated a remarkable safety and efficacy profile in preclinical studies and has the potential to become a novel and effective treatment for malaria," Perry said.