Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(
SGYP
) recently acquired all assets related to FV-100, an oral
nucleoside analogue, from
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
(
BMY
). FV-100 is being developed to treat shingles, a severe painful
skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus (the same virus that
causes chickenpox).
The FV-100 acquisition was the outcome of an Asset Purchase
Agreement that Synergy Pharmaceuticals signed with Bristol-Myers.
The candidate has already completed a phase IIa clinical trial in
patients with shingles. The trial evaluated around 230 patients at
two different dosage strengths. The study revealed that both the
doses were well tolerated and resulted in clinically meaningful
reductions in clinically significant pain.
We remind investors that in February 2012, Bristol-Myers
completed the acquisition of Inhibitex, Inc, a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company. With the Inhibitex acquisition, the
shingles candidate was added to Bristol-Myers' pipeline.
Synergy Pharmaceuticals primarily develops drugs for the
treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and diseases. The
company's lead candidate, plecanatide (SP-304), is a guanylyl
cyclase C (GC-C) receptor agonist that is being developed for GI
disorders.
Notably, in October last year, Synergy Pharmaceuticals initiated
dosing in a phase II/III clinical trial on plecanatide for the
treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation. Synergy
Pharmaceuticals is developing plecanatide for the treatment of
constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) as well.
The company plans to initiate the first trial in IBS-C patients
later this year.
Synergy Pharmaceuticals is also developing SP-333, which is a
second generation GC-C receptor agonist targeting GI inflammatory
diseases like ulcerative colitis. The candidate is currently in
pre-clinical development.
Our Recommendation
We currently have a Neutral recommendation on Synergy
Pharmaceuticals. The stock carries a Zacks #3 Rank (Hold rating) in
the short run.
BRISTOL-MYERS (BMY): Free Stock Analysis Report
SYNERGY PHARMAC (SGYP): Free Stock Analysis
Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment
Research