AN2 Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANTX) a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel small molecule therapeutics derived from its boron chemistry platform, today announced positive results from two studies evaluating the Company's oral CPSF3 inhibitor, AN2-502998, for the treatment of chronic Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) caused by infection with the parasite T. cruzi.

Key findings from the two studies:

  • In NHPs with naturally acquired, chronic T. cruzi parasite infection, 28 days of AN2-502998 treatment resulted in 100% parasitic elimination at target exposures attainable in humans, through four months following the end of treatment.
  • In the Phase 1 FIH study, AN2-502998 was generally well tolerated at exposure levels consistent with NHP efficacy thresholds, with no dose-limiting toxicities.

"Results from these studies converge on the picture we were hoping to see: efficacy in NHPs at an exposure level achievable in humans, with an excellent safety profile as shown in the FIH study. Notably, parasites were eliminated after one month of treatment in NHPs with the same naturally acquired, chronic infection that we see in humans," said Eric Easom, Co-founder, Chairman, President and CEO of AN2 Therapeutics. "Together, these data support our goal of making AN2-502998 the first FDA-approved therapy for chronic Chagas disease in adults."

Easom continued, "We believe an oral therapy capable of delivering high rates of parasitic cure after just one month of treatment could enable large-scale test-and-treat campaigns against this often lethal disease, which affects over 300,000 people in the U.S. and approximately 10 million globally. We look forward to initiating a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study late this year."

"Chagas disease is hiding in plain sight. We have simple, inexpensive serologic tests, and we know exactly which populations are at risk, no different from where we were with hepatitis C or HIV before systematic screening became standard of care," said Dr. David Hamer, Professor of Global Health and Medicine, Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine. "The patients are there; it's a matter of clinical awareness and systematic screening. What has been missing is an effective, well-tolerated treatment that physicians and patients can rely on for adults with chronic Chagas disease, who represent the vast majority of patients. It is genuinely encouraging to see serious drug development in this space - chronic Chagas disease represents one of the highest unmet needs in infectious disease, and these data suggest we may finally be moving toward a meaningful therapeutic option for patients who have had too few for too long."

Overview of Chagas Disease

Chagas disease (also known as American trypanosomiasis) is caused by the parasite T. cruzi. Over 300,000 people are estimated to be infected in the U.S., 200,000 across Europe and Japan, and about 10 million worldwide. Left untreated, chronic T. cruzi infection is lifelong and can be life threatening. The parasite T. cruzi silently damages the heart and digestive system, with ~20-30% of people developing serious cardiac damage resulting in heart failure, stroke, or sudden death. There are no FDA-approved treatments for adults with Chagas disease.

Chagas Disease Opportunity

The Company believes that Chagas disease represents a potential multi-billion-dollar global market opportunity globally, given its large and readily treatable patient population. Well-established risk profiles including country of birth, travel history, and exposure to triatomine vectors enable targeted, cost-effective screening, and low-cost diagnostics are widely available. The commercial profile of Chagas disease therapeutics shares key structural characteristics with that of other large infectious disease markets, most notably hepatitis C, for which accessible diagnostics, defined risk populations, high urgency to treat, and broad insurance coverage transformed a historically underdiagnosed condition into a substantial market. In parallel, through its work with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), the Company is committed to ensuring global access to AN2-502998, should it eventually be approved, in Chagas-endemic developing regions. AN2-502998, if approved, would also be eligible for an FDA Tropical Disease Priority Review Voucher.

Key Findings: 28-Day Nonhuman Primate (NHP) Study

The NHP efficacy study evaluated AN2-502998 administered for 28 days in macaques with naturally-acquired, chronic T. cruzi infection, contracted via triatomine (kissing bug) vectors in their natural habitats, the same vector that transmits the parasite to humans. The Chagas disease vector is increasingly prevalent across the southern half of the U.S. The Company believes that efficacy in naturally infected NHPs is the most clinically relevant predictor of efficacy for human chronic Chagas disease.

  • 100% of treated animals achieved parasite elimination at target exposures attainable in humans.
  • Elimination of parasitemia in treated animals was durable and maintained through four months following the end of treatment.
  • Parasitemia was evaluated using an enhanced PCR method with improved sensitivity and robustness.
  • AN2-502998 was well tolerated with no drug-related adverse events.
  • AN2-502998 is the only compound to have demonstrated curative activity in NHPs with long-term, naturally acquired T. cruzi infection.

Key Findings: Phase 1 First-in-Human Study

The Phase 1 FIH study (NCT07024589) evaluated single ascending oral doses of AN2-502998 and then multiple ascending doses administered over 10 days in healthy adult volunteers:

  • AN2-502998 was generally well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities.
  • Human PK was well characterized; plasma exposures at or above NHP efficacy thresholds were achieved.