October 31, 2019
Synspira Therapeutics Presents Data on Effect of SNSP113 on Chronic, Recalcitrant Nontuberculosis Mycobacteria (NTM) Pulmonary Infections at 33rd Annual North American Cystic Fibrosis Society Conference
SNSP113 Effective Against NTM Pulmonary Infections and Antibiotic Tolerant Persister Cells
FRAMINGHAM, Mass., October 31, 2019 — Synspira Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the lives of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and other rare diseases, today announced that data from the company’s CF clinical development program for SNSP113, a first-inclass inhaled glycochemistry-based therapeutic with a novel mechanism of action, will be presented at the 33rd Annual North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC), being held October 31 – November 2, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee.
The company’s poster presentation, Polycationic Glycopolymer (SNSP113) Mechanisms for Treatment of Chronic, Recalcitrant nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) Persister Cells, demonstrates that SNSP113 was effective against nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) bacteria and NTM persister cells. In an earlier study, SNSP113 has been demonstrated to disrupt the structural integrity of NTM biofilms and enhance the activity of previously resistant standard-of-care antibiotics.
- SNSP113 was observed to rapidly destroy the structure of NTM bacterial cell wall and membranes, making them weak so they rupture and die; this was observed for both Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABSC), the most common NTM organisms.
- SNSP113 was also shown to be more effective than current standard-of-care antibiotics, by eradicating NTM without the growth of tolerant persister cells. These persister cells reflect a state of dormancy which are tolerant to antibiotics and are able to resume growth after antibiotic removal, contributing to the chronicity of many infections, including NTM.
- SNSP113 was also shown to eradicate metabolically dormant persister cells.
“The data presented at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Society annual meeting highlights the eatment of life-threatening pulmonary infections,” said Robert Gallotto, Chief Executive Officer of Synspira. “There is a need for a novel non-antibiotic strategy like SNSP113, which is less susceptible to developing resistance or tolerance and can target bacterial infections like NTM, as well as the underlying factors such as biofilms, tolerant persister cells, inflammation and mucus accumulation, that result in the recalcitrant nature of the disease. We are especially pleased to present these results at this conference, underscoring Synspira’s commitment to develop treatments that address significant unmet medical needs for people with CF.”
About nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) Pulmonary Infections
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) lung disease is a rare and serious lung disorder associated with increased rates of morbidity and mortality (life-threatening). Nontuberculous Mycobacteria are naturally occurring organisms. NTM lung infection is a progressive and destructive lung disease which can occur when an individual inhales the organism from their environment. Patients with NTM lung disease can experience a range of symptoms that worsen over time, including chronic cough, fatigue, fever, weight loss, and chest pain, with many cases leading to severe, permanent damage to the lungs which can be fatal. Those with underlying lung conditions like bronchiectasis, a part of cystic fibrosis, are at greater risk of NTM lung infection. NTM infection often becomes chronic due to antibiotic resistance and tolerance, and the presence of biofilms. This chronic infection requires long courses of multiple antibiotics and, despite aggressive treatment regimens, treatment failure rates are high and recurrence of infection common. There are approximately 80,000-100,000 individuals affected by NTM lung infection in the U.S., the most common types involving Mycobacterium avium complex and Mycobacterium abscessus, which almost universally present with underlying infections such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
About SNSP113
The company’s lead product, SNSP113, is a first-in-class inhaled glycochemistry-based therapeutic with a novel mechanism of action intended to target the underlying cascade of events that lead to progressive pulmonary disease or life-threatening pulmonary infections, such as nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia complex or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), while reducing patient burden. SNSP113 has a novel non-antibiotic mechanism of action that has been shown to interact with the cell walls of invading bacteria to increase their permeability, even in the presence of dormant persister bacteria, and enhance the efficacy of standard antibiotics. It is designed to normalize mucus viscosity and transport, while also disrupting the cohesion of bacterial biofilm to improve airway clearance. Synspira is planning to initiate a study of SNSP113 in cystic fibrosis patients in 2019, a trial that is supported in part by a development award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc.
About Synspira
Synspira Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with rare diseases, such as cystic fibrosis. Synspira is developing a rationally designed portfolio of products to improve clinical outcomes, reduce treatment burden and address the unmet needs of people with rare diseases. The company’s lead product, SNSP113, is a first-in-class inhaled glycochemistry-based therapeutic with a novel mechanism of action designed to target the underlying cascade of events that lead to recalcitrant life-threatening pulmonary infections and progressive pulmonary disease. Synspira is a privately held company headquartered in Framingham, MA. At Synspira, we are inspired by the people we serve and are driven to make a difference.
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Company Contact:
Kathryn Kilroy
Synspira Therapeutics
kkilroy@synspira.com
(617) 466-3823
Media Contact:
Gina Cella
Cella Communications
gcella@cellapr.com
(857) 239-9198; (781) 799-3137 (mobile)