SCYNEXIS, Inc. Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 3 Open-label Study Evaluating Oral Ibrexafungerp in Candida auris Infections (CARES)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SCYNEXIS, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCYX), a biotechnology company delivering innovative therapies for difficult-to-treat and often life-threatening infections, today announced the dosing of the first patient with a Candida auris infection, an emerging life-threatening and multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen, in a Phase 3 open-label study evaluating oral ibrexafungerp (formerly SCY-078) in patients with candidiasis caused by C. auris (the CARES Study). Ibrexafungerp, the first representative of a novel oral and intravenous (IV) triterpenoid antifungal family, is in clinical development for the treatment of multiple serious fungal infections, including vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), invasive candidiasis (IC), invasive aspergillosis (IA) and refractory invasive fungal infections.

The CARES study is a multi-center (U.S. and India), open-label, single-arm study designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of oral ibrexafungerp in subjects with documented C. auris infections (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03363841).

"The need for effective new therapies for C. auris infections is clear, as the mortality rate for those infected is up to 60% and many strains have been reported to be resistant to drugs from all commercially available antifungal classes," said David Angulo, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of SCYNEXIS. "Ibrexafungerp has shown potent in vitro activity against C. auris, including in strains resistant to other antifungal agents, and we are committed to evaluating its potential to serve as a therapy for patients affected by this difficult-to-treat infection. We thank the investigators for their participation in the CARES study, and we look forward to advancing this important trial."

To date, SCYNEXIS has reported the results of multiple pre-clinical studies demonstrating the potent activity of ibrexafungerp against C. auris:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Study, reported in the Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (AAC) medical journal, evaluated the in vitro activity of ibrexafungerp against a collection of 100 C. auris isolates. Ibrexafungerp showed potent activity against all strains at concentrations similar to clinically relevant doses. Additionally, the study showed that ibrexafungerp retained similar activity against both susceptible and multidrug-resistant strains, including echinocandin-resistant C. auris isolates.
• Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Study, reported in the AAC medical journal, characterized the activity of ibrexafungerp, demonstrating potent activity against all tested C. auris isolates. Additionally, results showed that ibrexafungerp reduced biofilms and biofilm metabolic activity, a notable feature as C. auris infections have been frequently associated with intravenous catheter use.

About Candida auris 
Candida auris, a fungal strain first reported in 2009, has been linked to invasive fungal infections in several countries, including the U.S., and has caused at least two hospital outbreaks involving more than 30 patients each. The CDC estimates that infections with C. auris are associated with a mortality rate of up to 60% and that some strains of this species of Candida have proven to be resistant to all three major classes of antifungal drugs, rendering treatment difficult. This type of broad resistance to approved antifungal agents has not been observed in other species of Candida. The most common type of infection caused by C. auris is in the bloodstream. The CDC is actively tracking C. auris infections globally and has issued an alert to all healthcare facilities classifying this new pathogen as a serious global health threat. The incidence of C. auris infections in the U.S. is rapidly growing; in just the past year, the number of confirmed cases reported by the CDC has more than doubled.

For more information about C. auris, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/candida-auris/index.html

About Ibrexafungerp (formerly SCY-078)
Ibrexafungerp [pronounced eye-BREX-ah-FUN-jerp] is an investigational antifungal agent and the first representative of a novel class of structurally-distinct glucan synthase inhibitors, triterpenoids. This agent combines the well-established activity of glucan synthase inhibitors with the potential flexibility of having oral and IV formulations. Ibrexafungerp is currently in development for the treatment of fungal infections caused primarily by Candida (including C. auris) and Aspergillus species. It has demonstrated broad spectrum antifungal activity, in vitro and in vivo, against multidrug-resistant pathogens, including azole- and echinocandin-resistant strains. The FDA has granted QIDP and Fast Track designations for the formulations of ibrexafungerp for the indications of IC (including candidemia), IA and VVC, and has granted Orphan Drug Designation for the IC and IA indications.

About SCYNEXIS
SCYNEXIS, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCYX) is a biotechnology company committed to positively impacting the lives of patients suffering from difficult-to-treat and often life-threatening infections by developing innovative therapies. The SCYNEXIS team has extensive experience in the life sciences industry, discovering and developing more than 30 innovative medicines over a broad range of therapeutic areas. SCYNEXIS's lead product candidate, ibrexafungerp (formerly SCY-078), is a novel oral/IV antifungal agent in Phase 2 clinical and pre-clinical development for the treatment of multiple serious and life-threatening invasive fungal infections caused by Candida and Aspergillus species. For more information, visit www.scynexis.com.

Forward Looking Statement
Statements contained in this press release regarding expected future events or results are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation, statements regarding:  expectations for the timing of initiation of, and dosing in, clinical trials; plans for review of FURI and CARES. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited, to: risks inherent in SCYNEXIS's ability to successfully develop and obtain FDA approval for ibrexafungerp; the expected costs of studies and when they might begin or be concluded; and SCYNEXIS's reliance on third parties to conduct SCYNEXIS's clinical studies and to manufacture product supplies. These and other risks are described more fully in SCYNEXIS's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption "Risk Factors" and other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. SCYNEXIS undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

CONTACT:

Investor Relations
Natalie Wildenradt
Argot Partners
Tel: 212-600-1902
[email protected]

Media Relations
George E. MacDougall
MacDougall Biomedical Communications
Tel: 781-235-3093
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SOURCE SCYNEXIS, Inc.