Synergy Pharmaceuticals to Present Scientific Posters at the Upcoming Gastroenterology Society Meetings in the U.S. and Europe

NEW YORK, July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: SGYP), a developer of new drugs to treat gastrointestinal disorders and diseases, announced today that poster presentations on plecanatide that will be given at three separate Gastroenterology society meetings this fall.

Plecanatide is currently being developed for the treatment of patients suffering with chronic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome-constipation predominant (IBS-C). Plecanatide is an agonist of the guanylate cyclase-C receptor and is the superior analog of the natriuretic peptide, uroguanylin, the physiologic ligand of GC-C.

The scheduled locations, dates, titles and timing of the presentations are:

JOINT INTERNATIONAL NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY MEETING to be held September 6-8, 2012 in Bologna, Italy

Plecanatide, a Superior Analog of Uroguanylin, as an Oral Drug Candidate for Treatment of Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders and Diseases. (P330) Authored by Andrea Brancale, Gary Jacob and Kunwar Shailubhai. [Poster presentation 8 September 2012]

UNITED EUROPEAN GASTROENTEROLOGY WEEK to be held October 20-24, 2012 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Orally Administered Plecanatide, A Guanylate Cyclase-C Agonist, Acts in the Proximal Intestine to Stimulate Fluid Secretion to Normalize Bowel Movement. (P1003) Authored by Stephen Comiskey, John Foss and Kunwar Shailubhai. [Poster presentation date to be announced]

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF GASTROENTEROLOGY ANNUAL MEETING to be held October 19-24, 2012 in Las Vegas, NV

Orally Administered Plecanatide, A Guanylate Cyclase-C Agonist, Acts in the Lumen of the Proximal Intestine to Facilitate Normal Bowel Movement in Mice and Monkeys. (P451) Authored by Stephen Comiskey, John Foss, Gary Jacob, Kunwar Shailubhai. [Poster presentation 21 October 2012]

About Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Synergy is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of new drugs to treat gastrointestinal disorders and diseases. Synergy's lead proprietary drug candidate plecanatide is a synthetic analog of the human gastrointestinal (GI) hormone uroguanylin, and functions by activating the guanylate cyclase C receptor on epithelial cells of the GI tract. Synergy completed a Phase I study of plecanatide in healthy volunteers and a Phase IIa clinical trial in chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) patients. In October, 2011, Synergy initiated dosing of patients in a major Phase II/III clinical trial of plecanatide to treat CIC. Plecanatide is also being developed to treat constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), with the first trial in IBS-C patients planned for the second half of 2012. Synergy's second GC-C agonist SP-333 is currently in pre-clinical development to treat inflammatory bowel diseases. More information is available at http://www.synergypharma.com.

About Plecanatide

Plecanatide is a member of a new class of essentially non-systemic drugs, referred to as guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) agonists, that are currently in development to treat CIC and IBS-C. Plecanatide is a synthetic analog of uroguanylin, a natriuretic hormone that regulates ion and fluid transport in the GI tract. Orally-administered plecanatide binds to and activates GC-C receptors expressed on epithelial cells lining the GI mucosa, resulting in activation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and leading to augmented flow of chloride and water into the lumen of the gut. Activation of the GC-C receptor pathway is believed to facilitate bowel movement as well as producing other beneficial physiological responses including improvement in abdominal pain and inflammation. In animal models, oral administration of plecanatide promotes intestinal secretion and also ameliorates GI inflammation.

Forward-Looking Statements

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 Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 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.

SOURCE Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc.