Synthetic Biologics announces positive results from first SYN-004 Phase 2a study for prevention of CDI, AAD

Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: SYN), a clinical stage company focused on developing therapeutics to protect the gut microbiome while targeting pathogen specific diseases, announced positive topline results from the first Phase 2a study of SYN-004, the Company's candidate designed to protect the gut microbiome from the unintended effects of certain commonly used intravenous (IV) beta-lactam antibiotics for the prevention C. difficile infection (CDI) and antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). Topline results from the ten ileostomized participants who completed the Phase 2a open-label study demonstrated that SYN-004 successfully degraded residual IV ceftriaxone in the chyme (digestive fluid in the small intestine) without affecting the intended level of ceftriaxone in the bloodstream.

Evaluation of the chyme from the ileostomized participants indicates that both dosage strengths of SYN-004 (75 mg and 150 mg) degrade residual IV ceftriaxone present in the chyme, supporting the mechanism of action of SYN-004. In addition, both dosage strengths of SYN-004 appear to be well tolerated by the participants in the study. Overall, the topline data support the hypothesis that SYN-004 has the capacity to degrade residual IV ceftriaxone in the GI tract, thereby preserving the balance of the gut microbiome for the prevention of CDI, AAD and emergence of antibiotic-resistant organisms, without affecting the antibiotic level in the bloodstream intended for treatment of a primary infection.

"The completion of the first Phase 2a clinical trial for SYN-004 is an important achievement for Synthetic Biologics. These positive topline results demonstrate the potential for SYN-004 to protect the gut microbiome from the damaging effects of certain IV beta-lactam antibiotics for the prevention of C. difficile infection and antibiotic-associated diarrhea," stated Jeffrey Riley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Synthetic Biologics. "The second Phase 2a clinical trial for SYN-004 is currently ongoing to evaluate the GI antibiotic-degrading effects and the safety of SYN-004 in the presence of the proton pump inhibitor (PPI), esomeprazole, in participants with functioning ileostomies. We anticipate reporting topline results from the second Phase 2a of SYN-004 during the first half of 2016."

Mr. Riley concluded, "We are pleased to report additional progress from our SYN-004 program. We have begun dosing patients in the SYN-004 Phase 2b proof-of-concept clinical trial that is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of SYN-004 to prevent C. difficile infection and C. difficile associated diarrhea, as well as antibiotic-associated diarrhea in up to 370 patients hospitalized for a lower respiratory tract infection and receiving IV ceftriaxone."