Synthetic Biologics Strengthens Research & Development Team to Support Expanding Pipeline of Infectious Disease Therapies and Synthetic Biologics Programs

ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: SYN), a developer of synthetic biologics and innovative medicines for serious diseases and unmet medical needs, announced today that Andrew Bristol, Ph.D., joined the team as its new Vice President of Research & Development. Dr. Bristol has over 20 years of experience in cancer research and drug development with a special emphasis on monoclonal antibodies and cancer vaccines. The Company also announced that Michael Kaleko, M.D., Ph.D., has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Research & Development.

Dr. Bristol comes to Synthetic Biologics after working with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a Post-doctoral Fellow, focusing on the development of cellular immunotherapy and anti-cancer vaccines. In 1998, he joined Genetic Therapy, Inc. (a Novartis company) and rose to the position of Senior Scientist & Deputy Program Head of the Immunology Program. In 2003, he co-founded Neogenix Oncology, a company focused on the discovery and product development using human cancer tissue extracts as starting material to generate anti-cancer monoclonal antibodies. He spent the next 10 years with Neogenix, leading the company to win numerous awards, including the 2010 Maryland Technology Council's "Emerging Company of the Year" award and the 2007 Frost & Sullivan "Excellence in Research" award. Prior to joining Synthetic Biologics, he was the Founder and General Manager of Bristol Consulting Services.

Dr. Bristol earned his Ph.D. degree from Tufts University, and his B.A. degree in Molecular Biology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Jeffrey Riley, Chief Executive Officer at Synthetic Biologics, stated, "We are pleased to welcome Andy to Synthetic Biologics and expect that his extensive knowledge and biotechnology experience – especially in the development of monoclonal antibodies and successfully navigating the drug development process – will be vital in moving our projects forward."

"Since Mike joined Synthetic Biologics he has been invaluable to us as we continue to expand our synthetic biologics and DNA-based human therapeutics research. He has been integral in ramping up both our synthetic DNA and monoclonal antibody programs with Intrexon," concluded Mr. Riley.

Dr. Kaleko joined Synthetic Biologics in March 2012 as Scientific Director. Prior to joining Synthetic Biologics, Dr. Kaleko co-founded Advanced Vision Therapies, Inc. to develop treatments for eye diseases, including an anti-inflammatory biological for multiple ocular indications. He also co-directed research at Genetic Therapy, Inc., where he developed multiple gene transfer and gene expression platform technologies for hemophilia, cancer, diabetes and ocular diseases. Dr. Kaleko has published 62 peer-reviewed articles and filed over 30 patent applications.

About Synthetic Biologics, Inc.

Synthetic Biologics is a biotechnology company focused on the development of product candidates to address serious diseases and unmet medical needs. Synthetic Biologics is developing the following synthetic biologic candidates: a series of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the treatment of serious infectious diseases not adequately addressed by existing therapies and a synthetic DNA-based therapy for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The Company is also developing drug candidates for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), cognitive dysfunction in MS and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 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 our continued development pipeline, our intent to move our clinical programs forward and the expected contribution of Dr. Bristol. 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 successfully integrate the new management and other factors described in Synthetic Biologics' report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2011 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.

SOURCE Synthetic Biologics, Inc.