ROCKVILLE, Md., July 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Synthetic
Biologics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: SYN), a developer of novel
anti-infective biologic and drug candidates targeting specific
pathogens that cause serious infections and diseases, today
announced that Jennifer Maynard,
Ph.D., of The University of Texas at
Austin's McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering will
highlight Synthetic Biologics' SYN-005 monoclonal antibody (mAb)
combination for the treatment of Pertussis (whooping cough) in a
poster presentation. Dr. Maynard is scheduled to present at the
Microbial Toxins & Pathogenicity conference held by Gordon
Research Conferences on July 20-25,
2014, in Waterville Valley,
NH.
Synthetic Biologics is developing SYN-005 through its Exclusive
Channel Collaboration with Intrexon Corporation (NYSE: XON) and
academic researchers at The University of
Texas at Austin to target and neutralize the pertussis toxin
in order to reduce morbidity and mortality in infected infants.
Pertussis is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacteria
Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis) with symptoms that may
include chronic coughing and subsequent breathing difficulties.
According to the World Health Organization, there are
approximately 50 million worldwide cases of whooping cough
each year, leading to an estimated 300,000 deaths, primarily among
young, unvaccinated infants.
The poster, titled "Rational Design in Immunotherapeutics to
Treat Disease Caused by Bordetellae," will describe the
rationale and design of Synthetic Biologics' proprietary
combination of synergistic humanized monoclonal antibodies, known
as SYN-005, which is intended to target and neutralize the
pertussis toxin. Dr. Maynard will also present the data from murine
and non-human primate models of Pertussis using the unique SYN-005
antibody combination.
In April 2014, Synthetic Biologics
reported positive preclinical results from non-human primate,
Pertussis studies of SYN-005, which were associated with favorable
decreases in white blood cell counts within two days of treatment
and the achievement of nearly normal levels within one week.
"We are pleased to have Dr. Maynard share the research and
strong body of evidence supporting the clinical development of
SYN-005," stated Jeffrey Riley,
Chief Executive Officer of Synthetic Biologics. "Based on the
positive non-human primate and murine model findings, Synthetic
Biologics has begun manufacturing SYN-005, and remains on track to
file an IND to support a Phase I clinical trial expected to
initiate during the first half of 2015. In addition, we have
submitted an Orphan Drug designation request for SYN-005 for the
treatment of Pertussis."
About Synthetic Biologics, Inc.
Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: SYN) is a biotechnology
company focused on the development of novel anti-infective biologic
and drug candidates targeting specific pathogens that cause serious
infections and diseases. The Company is developing an oral biologic
to protect the gastrointestinal microflora from the effects of IV
antibiotics for the prevention of Clostridium difficile (C.
difficile) infection, an oral treatment to reduce the impact of
methane producing organisms on constipation-predominant irritable
bowel syndrome (C-IBS), a series of monoclonal antibodies for the
treatment of Pertussis and Acinetobacter infections, and a
biologic targeted at the prevention and treatment of a root cause
of a subset of IBS. In addition, the Company is developing an oral
estriol drug for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple
sclerosis (MS) and cognitive dysfunction in MS. For more
information, please visit Synthetic Biologics' website at
www.syntheticbiologics.com.
This release includes forward-looking statements on Synthetic
Biologics' current expectations and projections about future
events. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified
by terminology such as "may," "should," "potential," "continue,"
"expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes,"
"estimates," and similar expressions. These statements are based
upon current beliefs, expectations and assumptions and are subject
to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult
to predict and include statements regarding the potential effects
of neutralizing pertussis toxin and the expected timing of the
Phase I clinical trial. The forward-looking statements are subject
to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those set forth or implied by any
forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those reflected in
Synthetic Biologics' forward-looking statements include, among
others, a failure to receive the necessary regulatory approvals for
clinical trials and commercialization of Synthetic Biologics'
therapeutics, a failure of Synthetic Biologics' clinical trials,
studies and those conducted by investigators, to be commenced or
completed on time or to achieve desired results or results
similar to those in the findings from the preclinical studies of
SYN-005, a failure of Synthetic Biologics' clinical trials
to receive anticipated funding, a failure of Synthetic Biologics'
candidates for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases
to be successfully developed or commercialized, Synthetic
Biologics' inability to maintain its licensing agreements, or a
failure by Synthetic Biologics or its strategic partners to
successfully commercialize products and other factors described in
Synthetic Biologics' report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2013 and any other
filings with the SEC. The information in this release is provided
only as of the date of this release, and Synthetic Biologics
undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements
contained in this release on account of new information, future
events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
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SOURCE Synthetic Biologics, Inc.