AN2728 is a novel oxaborole in development for the topical treatment of psoriasis. Since psoriasis pathology includes an overproduction of pro-inflammatory and T-cell-produced cytokines, a small molecule that inhibits production of these cytokines without non-specifically inhibiting cellular functions, such as AN2728, is desirable. (en)
AN2728 is the product of a focused medicinal chemistry effort to create small molecules that inhibit TNF-alpha, the inflammatory cytokine that is the target of the powerful monoclonal antibodies now marketed for the treatment of psoriasis. Company researchers have shown that AN2728 suppresses the phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) enzyme, leading to TNF-alpha inhibition. (en)