On May 5, 2021 Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (NYSE American: SYN), a diversified clinical-stage company leveraging the microbiome to develop therapeutics designed to prevent and treat gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in areas of high unmet need, reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 (Press release, Synthetic Biologics, MAY 5, 2021, View Source [SID1234579233]).
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Recent developments:
Announced enrollment has commenced and three out of a total of four cohorts have been dosed in the first Phase 1a clinical trial of SYN-020 intestinal alkaline phosphatase ("IAP") intended to support development of SYN-020 in multiple indications
Announced enrollment has commenced and the first patient was dosed in the Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant ("HCT") recipients
Current cash position of approximately $76.9 million
Received $8.0 million from the exercise of warrants
Current cash runway provides funding into 2023 and ability to fund Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of SYN-004 as well as SYN-020 intestinal alkaline phosphatase ("IAP") through proof-of-concept
Upcoming milestones, pandemic conditions permitting:
Topline data from the Phase 1a single-ascending-dose ("SAD") study of SYN-020 anticipated during Q3 2021
Expect to commence second Phase 1a multiple-ascending-dose ("MAD") study of SYN-020 during Q3 2021; topline data anticipated during Q2 2022
Topline data readout from the first antibiotic cohort of the SYN-004 Phase1b/2a clinical trial is expected during Q4 2021
"During the first quarter of 2021 we remained diligently focused on advancing our portfolio of GI and microbiome-focused clinical programs and were pleased to announce the commencement of clinical trials for our SYN-004 and SYN-020 programs," said Steven A. Shallcross, Chief Executive Officer of Synthetic Biologics. "Enrollment in the SYN-004 Phase 1b/2a clinical trial in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients is underway at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis ("Washington University") and the first patient of the first antibiotic cohort was dosed earlier this year. We believe SYN-004 has the potential to address an important and underserved patient population, and may significantly improve outcomes for allogeneic HCT recipients by preventing downstream complications often associated with disruption of the gut microbiome by intravenous ("IV") beta-lactam antibiotics. If enrollment proceeds as planned, we anticipate announcing topline data from the first antibiotic cohort during the fourth quarter of 2021, pandemic conditions permitting."
Mr. Shallcross continued, "We were also very excited to announce the initiation of a Phase 1a single-ascending-dose clinical trial of our SYN-020 IAP program during the first quarter of 2021. To date, three out of a total of four cohorts have been dosed and we remain on track to report topline data from this study during the third quarter of 2021, pandemic conditions permitting. A second Phase 1a multiple-ascending-dose study is also expected to begin enrollment during the third quarter of 2021 with topline data expected early next year. Both studies are designed to support the advancement of SYN-020 in multiple potential therapeutic indications, including celiac disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ("NAFLD") and age-related metabolic and inflammatory diseases. We are very excited about the potential for this program to be a long-term value driver for our Company and look forward to sharing important updates."
Mr. Shallcross concluded, "While we remain focused on the execution of our clinical development activities, we were also able raise net proceeds of approximately $66 million as well as $8.0 million in proceeds from the cash exercise of warrants, significantly strengthening our balance sheet and financial position. As a result of these activities, our current cash position is approximately $76.9 million. Importantly, our fortified balance sheet will fully fund our SYN-004 and SYN-020 clinical programs through proof-of-concept clinical studies, and help accelerate our other ongoing activities."
Clinical Development and Operational Update
Announced Washington University has begun enrollment and the first patient was dosed in the first antibiotic cohort of the Company’s Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of SYN-004 in allogeneic HCT recipients for the prevention of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD)
The Phase 1b/2a clinical trial comprises a single center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of oral SYN-004 in up to 36 evaluable adult allogeneic HCT recipients
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the safety, tolerability and potential absorption into the systemic circulation (if any) of oral SYN-004 administered to allogeneic HCT recipients who receive an IV beta-lactam antibiotic to treat fever,
Study participants will be enrolled into three sequential cohorts and administered a different study-assigned IV beta-lactam antibiotic. Eight participants in each cohort will receive SYN-004 and four will receive placebo
Safety and pharmacokinetic data for each cohort will be reviewed by an independent Data and Safety Monitoring Committee ("DSMC"), which will make a recommendation on whether to proceed to the next IV beta-lactam antibiotic
A topline data readout for the first antibiotic cohort is anticipated during the fourth quarter of 2021, pandemic conditions permitting;
Announced enrollment has commenced and three out of a total of four cohorts have been dosed in a Phase 1a SAD clinical trial of SYN-020 in healthy adult volunteers
The Phase 1a SAD study is designed to evaluate safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of four single-ascending doses of oral SYN-020 in healthy adult volunteers
In all, up to 24 study participants will be enrolled into four cohorts that will run sequentially, all of which will receive oral SYN-020. A topline data readout is anticipated during the third quarter of 2021, pandemic conditions permitting
A second Phase 1a clinical trial evaluating multiple-ascending doses of SYN-020 in healthy volunteers is expected to commence during the third quarter of 2021. Topline data is anticipated during the second quarter of 2022, pandemic conditions permitting
Both studies are intended to support the development of SYN-020 in multiple potential clinical indications including celiac disease, NAFLD, and indications supported by the Company’s collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital;
Strengthened balance sheet by raising net proceeds of $66 million from the sale of common stock via the Company’s At-The-Market ("ATM") facility and $8.0 million resulting from the cash exercise of a portion of Company’s 2018 warrants during Q1 2021
As a result of these activities, the Company has extended its cash runway into 2023 and has the ability to fully fund its Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of SYN-004 and planned Phase 1 SAD and MAD clinical trials of SYN-020.
Quarter Ended March 31, 2020 Financial Results
General and administrative expenses increased by 2% to approximately $1.42 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, from approximately $1.39 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. This increase is primarily due to higher insurance costs, audit fees, and legal costs offset by a reduction in patent related legal fees, consulting fees and travel expense. The charge related to stock-based compensation expense was $82,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $65,000 the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Research and development expenses decreased by 32% to approximately $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, from approximately $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. This decrease is primarily the result of lower indirect program costs for the three months ended March 31, 2021, including salary and related expense reductions, a decrease in manufacturing costs for SYN-020 and market research. In addition, as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Company’s development partner (Washington University) reduced their operating capacity during 2021 to include only essential activities as part of their pandemic response, which delayed the start of the Company’s clinical trial, resulting in lower clinical trial expenses for the quarter. The research and development costs incurred during the quarter were primarily related to the Company’s Phase 1a clinical trial of SYN-020 and the Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic HCT recipients. The Company anticipates research and development expense to increase as ongoing clinical trials continue to enroll patients. The charge related to stock-based compensation expense was $19,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $18,000 related to stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Other income was $347 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to other income of $38,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Other income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 is primarily comprised of interest income.
Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2021 totaled $76.9 million, an increase of $70.7 million from December 31, 2020.
Conference Call
Synthetic Biologics will hold a conference call today, Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. (EST). The dial-in information for the call is as follows, U.S. toll free: 1-888-347-5280 or International: +1 412-902-4280. Participants are asked to dial in 15 minutes before the start of the call to register. The call will also be webcast over the Internet at View Source." target="_blank" title="View Source." rel="nofollow">View Source An archive of the call will be available for replay at the same URL, View Source, for 90 days after the call.