Anthera Pharmaceuticals is involved in some very complicated sounding (not to mention hard to say) drug development. Its lead product, varespladib methyl, is in late stage clinical trials to treat acute coronary syndrome. Other candidates include A-623 to treat lupus and varespladib sodium to treat acute chest syndrome. Varespladib is designed to inhibit an enzyme called sPLA2 that is implicated in a variety of acute inflammatory conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, sickle cell disease, and coronary artery disease. Since its founding in 2004, Anthera's operations have consisted primarily of research and development activities. The company went public in early 2010 in an IPO worth about $37 million.