AN2 Therapeutics Begins Phase 2 Trial of Epetraborole for Mycobacterium abscessus

The investigator-initiated clinical trial will evaluate the drug candidate for a rare and difficult-to-treat lung infection.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:58pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up X-ray photograph revealing the delicate internal structures of a human lung, conceptually representing the complex nature of the Mycobacterium abscessus infection.A novel antibiotic aims to target the rare and difficult-to-treat lung infection caused by Mycobacterium abscessus.Menlo Park Today

AN2 Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company, has announced the initiation of a Phase 2 investigator-initiated clinical trial evaluating their drug candidate epetraborole for the treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus, a rare and difficult-to-treat lung infection. The trial will be conducted at multiple sites across the United States.

Why it matters

Mycobacterium abscessus is a type of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) that can cause severe and chronic lung infections, particularly in individuals with underlying lung conditions. Current treatment options are limited and often ineffective, making the development of new therapies for this unmet medical need an important priority.

The details

The Phase 2 trial will assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of epetraborole in patients with Mycobacterium abscessus lung disease. Epetraborole is a novel boron-containing antibiotic that has shown promise in preclinical studies for its ability to target and inhibit the growth of this difficult-to-treat pathogen.

  • The trial was initiated on March 31, 2026.

The players

AN2 Therapeutics

A biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapies for rare and difficult-to-treat infectious diseases.

Epetraborole

AN2 Therapeutics' drug candidate, a novel boron-containing antibiotic, that is being evaluated for the treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus lung disease.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Phase 2 trial is expected to enroll patients at multiple sites across the United States and is an important step in evaluating the potential of epetraborole to address the significant unmet need for new treatment options for Mycobacterium abscessus lung disease.

The takeaway

The initiation of this Phase 2 trial represents a significant milestone in the development of a new therapy for Mycobacterium abscessus, a rare and challenging lung infection that currently has limited treatment options. If successful, epetraborole could provide a much-needed new approach to managing this serious condition.