On November 1, 2016 Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: SYN), a late-stage clinical company developing therapeutics focused on the gut microbiome, reported an operational update and reported financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2016 (Press release, Synthetic Biologics, NOV 1, 2016, View Source [SID1234516162]).

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Synthetic Biologics, Inc. www.syntheticbiologics.com (PRNewsFoto/Synthetic Biologics, Inc.)
"Clinical progress for our two lead gut microbiome-focused drug candidates represent critical milestones for the company as we continue our evolution from an early-stage development company to a late-stage clinical development company focused on commercialization," said Jeffrey Riley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Synthetic Biologics. "During the third quarter, we completed enrollment in our Phase 2b proof-of-concept clinical trial to evaluate the ability of ribaxamase to protect the gut microbiome from the effects of certain commonly used intravenous beta-lactam antibiotics for the prevention of C. difficile infection (CDI), antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant organisms. We were also the only commercial company pursuing drug development to receive a government contract from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate antimicrobial resistance. This grant will support our clinical research aimed at determining whether ribaxamase may prevent antibiotic-mediated microbial resistance in the gut microbiomes of participants in our Phase 2b study. We look forward to sharing top-line results from this trial during the first quarter of 2017."

Mr. Riley continued, "SYN-010, our therapeutic designed to reduce methane in the gut and treat the underlying cause of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), continues its rapid clinical progress. We held a held an End of Phase 2 meeting with the FDA to determine the optimal clinical pathway to advance SYN-010 into pivotal trials. We continue to collaborate with the FDA and are developing a protocol for our Phase 2b/3 adaptive clinical study which we plan to initiate during the first quarter of 2017."

Clinical Program Progress

SYN-004 (ribaxamase): Prevention of CDI, AAD and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant organisms:

Completed enrollment in global Phase 2b placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept clinical trial intended to evaluate the ability of ribaxamase to prevent CDI, C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), AAD and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant organisms in patients hospitalized with a lower respiratory tract infection and receiving intravenous (IV) ceftriaxone
Enrolled 413 patients across global clinical sites
Anticipate announcing topline results from Phase 2b proof-of-concept clinical trial (1Q 2017)
Awarded government contract from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine SYN-004’s ability to prevent the emergence of antibiotic-resistant organisms in the gut microbiome of patients enrolled in the Company’s Phase 2b proof-of-concept clinical trial
SYN-010: Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) – SYN-010:

Held End of Phase 2 meeting with FDA and received guidance for clinical study design and requirements for Phase 3 development
Submitted Phase 2b/3 adaptive study protocol and corresponding statistical analysis plan to FDA for first pivotal clinical trial (3Q 2016)
Plan to initiate Phase 2b/3 pivotal clinical trial (1Q 2017)
Third Quarter 2016 Financial Results

General and administrative expenses increased to $2.1 million for the third quarter of 2016, from $1.6 million for the third quarter of 2015. This increase is primarily the result of increased stock-based compensation, investor relations expenses and employee salaries and benefits costs offset by lower consulting and legal expenses. The charge related to stock-based compensation expense was $524,000 for the third quarter of 2016, compared to $387,000 for the third quarter of 2015.

Research and development expenses decreased to $7.0 million for the third quarter of 2016, from $10.0 million for the third quarter of 2015. This decrease is primarily the result of charges related to our Exclusive Channel Collaboration (ECC) agreement with Intrexon that we entered into in August 2015. In 2015, we issued 937,500 shares of our common stock to Intrexon as payment of the technology access fee that resulted in a non-cash charge of $3.0 million for the third quarter of 2015. Research and development expenses also include a charge related to non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $422,000 for the third quarter of 2016, compared to $259,000 for the same period last year.

Other income was $0.7 million for the third quarter of 2016, compared to other income of $4.1 million for the third quarter of 2015. Other income for the third quarter of 2016 is due to non-cash income of $0.7 million from the change in fair value of warrants. The decrease in the fair value of the warrants was due to the decrease in our stock price from the prior quarter. Non-cash income related to the decrease of fair value of warrants for the third quarter of 2015 was $4.1 million.

Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2016 were $4.5 million.