In July, SCYNEXIS announced that it had successfully conducted pre-NDA meetings with the FDA regarding ibrexafungerp for the treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) more commonly known as vaginal yeast infection. NDA submission for this indication remains on track for Q4 2020.
In July, SCYNEXIS held an investor event with two key opinion leaders (KOLs) to discuss patient perspectives, unmet needs and treatment options in VVC, as well as the related commercial opportunity. This event followed the successful completion of the Phase 3 VANISH program evaluating oral ibrexafungerp for the treatment of VVC.
Enrollment is ongoing in the Phase 3 CANDLE study of oral ibrexafungerp for the prevention of recurrent vaginal yeast infections; top-line results and supplemental NDA submission anticipated in the second half of 2021.
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Aug. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SCYNEXIS, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCYX), a biotechnology company pioneering innovative medicines to overcome and prevent difficult-to-treat and drug resistant infections, today reported financial results for the quarter ended on June 30, 2020 and provided an update on recent clinical and corporate developments.
“We have recently achieved some key milestones with the successful completion of our pivotal VANISH Phase 3 program evaluating oral ibrexafungerp for the treatment of vaginal yeast infections, followed by productive pre-NDA meetings with the FDA,” said Marco Taglietti, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of SCYNEXIS. “In both our VANISH Phase 3 trials, ibrexafungerp treatment resulted in clinically meaningful improvement and statistically significantly greater cure rates when compared to placebo, and we remain on track to submit our NDA for the treatment of vaginal yeast infections in the fourth quarter of this year, setting us up for a potential regulatory approval in mid-2021. I am extremely proud of our team’s commitment to advancing this program as we transition SCYNEXIS to a fully integrated drug development and commercial company with an initial focus on vaginal yeast infections.”
Ibrexafungerp Update
Ibrexafungerp achieved superiority over placebo with a high degree of statistical significance on key study endpoints required for regulatory approval for the treatment of VVC in both VANISH pivotal trials. The two VANISH studies are among the first placebo-controlled trials of an antifungal agent in VVC. The results of these studies provide evidence of ibrexafungerp’s robust and clinically meaningful efficacy with no safety signals identified. Below are the top-line efficacy results of the VANISH pivotal trials:
| (mITT) | VANISH-306 | VANISH-303 | |||
| IBX 300mg BID (n=188) (%) | Placebo (n=84) (%) | IBX 300mg BID (n=188) (%) | Placebo (n=98) (%) | ||
| Primary Endpoint | |||||
| Clinical Cure (0 S&S) at Day 10 | 63.3* | 44.0* | 50.5** | 28.6** | |
| Secondary Endpoints | |||||
| Mycological Eradication at Day 10 | 58.5** | 29.8** | 49.5** | 19.4** | |
| Clinical Improvement (S&S ≤1) at Day 10 | 72.3* | 54.8* | 64.4** | 36.7** | |
| Complete Symptom Resolution at Day-25 Follow Up | 73.9** | 52.4** | 59.6* | 44.9** | |
| * p value ≤ 0.01 ** p value ≤ 0.001 | |||||
In both VANISH pivotal trials, oral ibrexafungerp was generally well-tolerated. Below is a summary of the higher frequency treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of the VANISH pivotal trials:
| VANISH-306 | VANISH-303 | ||||
| IBX 300mg BID (n=298) (%) | Placebo (n=151) (%) | IBX 300mg BID (n=247) (%) | Placebo (n=124) (%) | ||
| Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events | |||||
| Diarrhea/Loose stool | 9.4 | 0.7 | 25.5 | 6.5 | |
| Nausea | 8.4 | 2.6 | 16.2 | 5.6 | |
| Abdominal Pain | 2.7 | 1.3 | 6.9 | 2.4 | |
- Substantial commercial opportunity for oral ibrexafungerp in VVC as a potential novel treatment of choice for the large number of women currently underserved by existing agents.
Ibrexafungerp has the potential to address vaginal yeast infections across a broad range of patients and could be an ideal treatment option for the many patients for whom current treatment options are suboptimal. With over six million women experiencing a yeast infection each year in the U.S., VVC is an under-appreciated, under-reported, and under-served women’s health condition. There are over 15.4 million prescriptions written for VVC in the U.S. annually, all of which belong to a single drug class, the azoles. There has been no new oral treatment for VVC in over 25 years, and we believe health care providers are eager for a novel alternative to treat their patients.
Ibrexafungerp, if approved, would be the first and only oral, non-azole treatment for vaginal yeast infections. SCYNEXIS believes that ibrexafungerp’s unique combination of features, including its novel class, oral dosing, broad-spectrum, and fungicidal activity in all Candida species (albicans and non-albicans) including fluconazole resistant strains, will differentiate it from competing products.
Corporate Developments Subsequent to June 30, 2020
- On July 17, 2020, SCYNEXIS executed a 1-for-10 reverse split of its issued and outstanding common stock. As of August 1, 2020, there are 10.6 million shares outstanding, and 100 million authorized shares available.
Second Quarter Financial Results
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $37.6 million as of June 30, 2020, compared to $48.4 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments at December 31, 2019.
For the three months ended June 30, 2020, research and development expense of $8.5 million was comparable with the research and development expense for the three months ended June 30, 2019. During the three months ended June 30, 2020, SCYNEXIS incurred an increase of $0.5 million in chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) costs, an increase of $0.3 million in regulatory expense, and a net increase in other research and development expenses of $0.6 million, partially offset by a decrease of $1.4 million in clinical development costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 increased to $3.4 million from $2.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019. The increase of $0.6 million, or 21%, was primarily driven by a $0.3 million increase in professional fees and commercial related expenses.
Total other income was $2.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, compared to total other income of $2.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019. During the quarter ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, SCYNEXIS recognized non-cash gains of $3.6 million and $2.0 million, respectively, on the fair value adjustment of the warrant liabilities and during the quarter ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, recognized non-cash gains of $0.7 million and $1.3 million on the fair value adjustment of the derivative liabilities, respectively.
Net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 was $6.4 million, or ($0.64) per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $8.4 million, or ($1.58) per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2019.
About Ibrexafungerp
Ibrexafungerp [pronounced eye-BREX-ah-FUN-jerp] is an investigational antifungal agent and the first representative of a novel class of structurally-distinct glucan synthase inhibitors, triterpenoids. This agent combines the well-established activity of glucan synthase inhibitors with the potential flexibility of having oral and intravenous (IV) formulations. Ibrexafungerp is currently in development for the treatment of fungal infections caused primarily by Candida (including C. auris) and Aspergillus species. It has demonstrated broad-spectrum antifungal activity, in vitro and in vivo, against multidrug-resistant pathogens, including azole- and echinocandin-resistant strains. The FDA has granted Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) and Fast Track designations for the formulations of ibrexafungerp for the indications of invasive candidiasis (IC) (including candidemia), invasive aspergillosis (IA) and VVC, and has granted Orphan Drug Designation for the IC and IA indications. Ibrexafungerp is formerly known as SCY-078.
About SCYNEXIS
SCYNEXIS, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCYX) is a biotechnology company pioneering innovative medicines to help millions of patients worldwide overcome and prevent difficult-to-treat infections that are becoming increasingly drug-resistant. Our lead candidate, ibrexafungerp (formerly known as SCY-078), is a broad-spectrum, IV/oral antifungal agent representing a novel therapeutic class, in late stage development for multiple indications, ranging from vaginal yeast infections to life-threatening fungal infections in hospitalized patients. The SCYNEXIS team has deep expertise in anti-infective drug development and marketing, which can be leveraged to advance ibrexafungerp from clinical development to commercialization. For more information, visit www.scynexis.com.
Forward Looking Statement
Statements contained in this press release regarding expected future events or results are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements regarding SCYNEXIS remains on track to submit its NDA for the treatment of vaginal yeast infections in the fourth quarter of this year, and that SCYNEXIS anticipates top-line results and the submission of a supplemental NDA for recurrent VVC in the second half of 2021. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited, to: risks inherent in SCYNEXIS's ability to successfully develop and obtain FDA approval for ibrexafungerp; the expected costs of studies and when they might begin or be concluded; SCYNEXIS’s need for additional capital resources; and SCYNEXIS's reliance on third parties to conduct SCYNEXIS's clinical studies. These and other risks are described more fully in SCYNEXIS's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q under the caption "Risk Factors" and other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. SCYNEXIS undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
CONTACT:
Investor Relations
Irina Koffler
LifeSci Advisors
Tel: (646) 970-4681
ikoffler@lifesciadvisors.com
Media Relations
Gloria Gasaatura
LifeSci Communications
Tel: (646) 970-4688
ggasaatura@lifescicomms.com
| SCYNEXIS, INC. | ||||||||||
| UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||||||||
| Three Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||
| Revenue | $ | − | $ | 57 | ||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||
| Research and development | 8,469 | 8,474 | ||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 3,357 | 2,779 | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 11,826 | 11,253 | ||||||||
| Loss from operations: | (11,826 | ) | (11,196 | ) | ||||||
| Other (income) expense: | ||||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | 806 | 231 | ||||||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount | 321 | 373 | ||||||||
| Interest income | (36 | ) | (233 | ) | ||||||
| Interest expense | 319 | 209 | ||||||||
| Other income | (60 | ) | − | |||||||
| Other expense | 602 | − | ||||||||
| Warrant liabilities fair value adjustment | (3,560 | ) | (2,049 | ) | ||||||
| Derivative liabilities fair value adjustment | (693 | ) | (1,324 | ) | ||||||
| Total other (income) expense | (2,301 | ) | (2,793 | ) | ||||||
| Loss before taxes | (9,525 | ) | (8,403 | ) | ||||||
| Income tax benefit | (3,144 | ) | − | |||||||
| Net loss | $ | (6,381 | ) | $ | (8,403 | ) | ||||
| Net loss per share - basic and diluted | $ | (0.64 | ) | $ | (1.58 | ) | ||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 10,009,614 | 5,327,766 | ||||||||
| SCYNEXIS, INC. | ||||||||||
| UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||||
| June 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 34,021 | $ | 41,920 | ||||||
| Short-term investments | 3,594 | 6,494 | ||||||||
| Total current assets | 40,567 | 52,402 | ||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use asset | 3,094 | 3,191 | ||||||||
| Total assets | 45,267 | 57,153 | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 7,316 | 11,014 | ||||||||
| Warrant liabilities | 10,067 | 18,396 | ||||||||
| Convertible debt and derivative liability | 18,254 | 11,522 | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability, long term | 3,330 | 3,326 | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | 38,934 | 44,258 | ||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 6,333 | 12,895 | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 45,267 | $ | 57,153 | ||||||