Results from the BURDEN IBS-C Study demonstrate physical, psychosocial and clinical impact of IBS-C, indicating that IBS-C has a substantial burden on patients’ lives

Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:SGYP) announced today new findings highlighting the frustration of patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and the perceptions of healthcare providers (HCPs) who treat these patients. The online questionnaire, designed to develop a better understanding of the experiences and attitudes associated with IBS-C, revealed many patients experienced stress and lost productivity when managing this condition. Patients and HCPs also noted a lack of satisfaction in currently available prescription treatments for IBS-C.

Detailed results from the BURDEN IBS-C Study (Better Understanding and Recognition of the Disconnects, Experiences, and Needs of Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation) were presented today at World Congress of Gastroenterology (WCOG) at American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), in Orlando, Fla. Findings are based on results from the online questionnaire of more than 1,300 patients and 325 HCPs.

IBS-C has a negative impact on a patient’s day-to-day life, including productivity.

  • Nearly two out of three patients (60%) described IBS-C symptoms as somewhat to extremely bothersome.
  • 43 percent of patients said they had been “frustrated” with IBS-C, with more than a quarter of respondents (28%) noting their condition was “stressful.”
  • Patients reported that their productivity at work or school is impacted four out of every 30 days each month by IBS-C, with respondents also missing approximately 1.5 work or school days per month due to the condition.

HCPs recognized patients’ frustration with IBS-C symptoms, yet underestimate how many patients have “accepted” their condition.

  • The majority of HCPs acknowledged that their patients were frustrated (76%) and stressed (65%) by symptoms of IBS-C.
  • HCPs were less likely to recognize that patients were “accepting” of the impact of their condition, compared to the 39 percent of patients who said they had accepted their IBS-C.

Many HCPs and patients feel current treatments do not sufficiently address IBS-C symptoms.

  • Among the patients that were currently using a prescription IBS-C treatment, 78 percent were not completely satisfied. More than half (51%) of these patients cited efficacy as a reason for not being completely satisfied with current prescription IBS-C treatments.
  • 21 percent of HCPs were satisfied or completely satisfied with current prescription treatments, with more than half (55%) of those who were not satisfied or completely satisfied citing inadequate efficacy and 41 percent citing diarrhea as challenges most frequently experienced in treating IBS-C.

“Results from the BURDEN IBS-C Study highlight the frustration patients’ have about the condition, suggesting patients and HCPs alike face real challenges with the current management of IBS-C,” said Eamonn M.M. Quigley, M.D., Director, Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Disorders, Houston Methodist Hospital. “These data provide further evidence of the substantial burden IBS-C can have on a person’s quality of life and point to the need for both HCPs and patients living with IBS-C to maintain an open, productive dialogue about a patient’s health and treatment options.”

About the BURDEN IBS-C Study

The BURDEN IBS-C (Better Understanding and Recognition of the Disconnects, Experiences, and Needs of Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation) study consisted of more than 1,300 patients who met IBS-C criteria (mean age 46 years; 73 percent of respondents were female) and completed the author-developed, IRB-approved online questionnaire. The study also evaluated, through an approximate 45-minute questionnaire, more than 325 healthcare providers who treat patients with IBS-C.

About Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and associated with two or more of the following: related to defecation, associated with a change in the frequency of stool, or associated with a change in the form (appearance) of the stool. IBS can be subtyped by the predominant stool form: constipation (IBS-C), diarrhea (IBS-D) or mixed (IBS-M). Those within the IBS-C subtype experience hard or lumpy stools more than 25 percent of the time they defecate, and loose or watery stools less than 25 percent of the time. It is estimated that the prevalence of IBS-C in the U.S. adult population is approximately 4 to 5 percent.

About Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Synergy is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel gastrointestinal (GI) therapies. The company has pioneered discovery, research and development efforts on analogs of uroguanylin, a naturally occurring and endogenous human GI peptide, for treatment of GI diseases and disorders. For more information, please visit www.synergypharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "planned," "believe," "forecast," "estimated," "expected," and "intend," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Synergy's current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, substantial competition; our ability to continue as a going concern; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payer reimbursement; limited sales and marketing efforts and dependence upon third parties; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. There are no guarantees that future clinical trials discussed in this press release will be completed or successful or that any product will receive regulatory approval for any indication or prove to be commercially successful. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in Synergy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. While the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date hereof, and Synergy does not undertake any obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc.Gem Hopkins, 212-584-7610VP, Investor Relations and Corporate Communicationsghopkins@synergypharma.com

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