Gates Foundation Extends Funding for AN2 Therapeutics, GSK Research Collab

The Gates Foundation has awarded an extension of funding to support AN2 Therapeutics’ research activities under its ongoing tuberculosis (TB) research collaboration with GSK focused on the development of boron-based leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS) inhibitors.

“We are grateful for the Gates Foundation’s continued support of this important collaboration with GSK to advance boron-based LeuRS inhibitors for the treatment of tuberculosis,” said Vince Hernandez, SVP of Research & Head of Chemistry of AN2 Therapeutics. “The award of additional funding reflects the progress made by the collaboration and the potential of boron chemistry to enable the discovery of differentiated medicines against challenging infectious disease targets. Together with GSK, we remain committed to advancing innovative approaches that may contribute to the development of new treatment options for people affected by tuberculosis around the world.”

Hernandez continued, “This collaboration builds upon decades of experience in boron chemistry and the validation of LeuRS as a therapeutic target. We believe the continued support from the Gates Foundation reinforces the importance of pursuing new approaches to help address one of the world’s most pressing infectious diseases.”

Dr. Harmony P. Garges, Chief Global Health Officer, GSK, said: “We are pleased to continue our collaboration with AN2 Therapeutics and appreciate the ongoing support of the Gates Foundation as we work to advance innovative science that has the potential to contribute to future TB treatment efforts.”

LeuRS is a clinically validated target and is the same target underlying epetraborole (in development for M. abscessus lung disease), ganfeborole (which demonstrated proof-of-concept efficacy in a Phase 2 TB study), and tavaborole, an FDA-approved antifungal. AN2’s boron chemistry platform has demonstrated the ability to generate potent inhibitors of LeuRS and other targets that may not be readily addressed using traditional medicinal chemistry approaches.