Spyryx Biosciences Partners with Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Serves as Presenting Sponsor of the 16th Broken Arrow Conference May 4-6, Toronto, Ontario

DURHAM, N.C., May 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Spyryx Biosciences, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapeutics to address severe lung disease, announced today that it will serve as the presenting sponsor of Cystic Fibrosis Canada's 16^th Broken Arrow Conference. As the presenting sponsor, the company will host more than 150 cystic fibrosis (CF) healthcare providers and researchers from across Canada and internationally, opening the conference with a welcome reception.  Additionally, Alistair Wheeler, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Spyryx will participate as a panelist discussing current clinical trials, research results, and the digital health revolution. Spyryx will also use this opportunity to enhance relationships with both CF families and researchers.

As part of its continued leadership in the CF space, the Company is working toward the initiation of a multinational Phase 2 clinical study for its lead pipeline therapeutic, SPX-101, scheduled to begin mid-2017. This study will be conducted in CF patients, with the goal of assessing SPX-101's ability to improve lung function, as well as the safety and tolerability of the inhaled drug. The Phase 2 design will enroll patients regardless of their CFTR mutation.

"We look forward to our time with CF patients, families and researchers at the Broken Arrow Conference to hear their stories," said Dr. Wheeler.  "As we continue our SPX-101 clinical program, we're excited to share some of our work that potentially provides hope for CF patients in Canada and around the world regardless of their underlying mutation."

SPX-101 is an inhaled peptide with a novel, biological mechanism that regulates epithelial sodium channel density in the airway.  The drug is designed to restore a cellular pathway in the lung that promotes airway hydration and mucociliary clearance, which are dysfunctional in CF. The mechanism of action of SPX-101 is independent of the genetic mutations that cause CF, which makes it a potential therapy for all CF patients.

"Broken Arrow is an opportunity for donors, sponsors, people with CF and their families to celebrate advancements, and focus on emerging topics in research and care," said Norma Beauchamp, President and CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. "We especially look forward to highlighting Canadian achievements toward creating a world without CF."

About Cystic Fibrosis
CF is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder affecting approximately 75,000 individuals worldwide.  The disease is caused by mutations in the gene for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. CF profoundly affects the lungs and respiratory tract and is characterized by dehydration of the airway surface, resulting in reduced mucus clearance, the lung's principle mechanism for maintaining a clean environment. The mucus becomes thick and sticky, progressively accumulating into obstructions that block airflow and result in recurrent colonization of the airways by viruses and bacteria.  These pathogens lead to frequent, acute lung infections, chronic inflammation, exacerbations, and impaired lung function. The long-term result of the disease, is progressive, permanent tissue damage and scarring (fibrosis) in the lung.  No cure for cystic fibrosis is known, although several treatments have been approved to address the underlying cause of the disease in some patients. Despite currently available treatment, the median age of survival for CF patients is approximately 40 years of age.

About Broken Arrow
The 16^th Broken Arrow Conference takes place from May 4-6, 2017, at the Toronto Reference Library.  The 2017 conference theme is Clinical Trials and the Digital Health Revolution: Better Health for All Canadians with CF.

About Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Cystic Fibrosis Canada is a national charitable not-for-profit corporation established in 1960, and is one of the world's top three charitable organizations committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF). As an internationally recognized leader in funding innovation and clinical care, the company invests more in life-saving CF research and care than any other non-governmental agency in Canada.  Since establishment, Cystic Fibrosis Canada has invested more than $235 million in leading research, innovation and care. As a result, Canadians with cystic fibrosis have one of the highest median survival rates in the world.

About Spyryx Biosciences
Spyryx Biosciences is a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapeutics to address severe lung diseases. Spyryx's lead clinical candidate, SPX-101, is a novel treatment for cystic fibrosis that has successfully completed a Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers and is advancing into Phase 2 in CF patients. The product has demonstrated a robust ability to restore mucociliary clearance in animal models of the disease and has the potential to improve lung function in all cystic fibrosis patients independent of their CFTR mutation. The Spyryx leadership team and scientific staff have extensive experience in the development of respiratory medicines and work closely with a broad group of clinical and scientific experts in the pulmonary field. Spyryx is funded by a first tier syndicate of life science investors, including Canaan Partners, 5AM Ventures and Hatteras Venture Partners. Further information regarding Spyryx Biosciences is available at www.spyryxbio.com.

SOURCE Spyryx Biosciences

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