Today Synthetic Biologics (SYN) announced positive phase 2 results for prevention of a bacterial infection, known as Clostridium difficile or C. difficile. The company’s drug, known as SYN-004 is a drug that it intended to clear an IV fluid — ceftriaxone — from the gastrointestinal tract without affecting the portion of the drug that reaches the blood stream. 

More specifically SYN–004 degrades the IV Cetriaxone from the chyme — digestive fluid that moves through to the intestines after the stomach digests it. This is because Cetriaxone leaves behind residual IV liquid that is not necessary for the gut to ingest. Therefore SYN-004 was created to degrade it, thus leaving the stomach free of unnecessary IV. 

Even better news was that both the 75 mg and 100 mg doses both achieved their function of degrading IV. Why is clearing the stomach of residual IV important? Because when a patient takes an antibiotic for another infection, it is possible to upset the balance of the gut microbiome. This in turn causes C. difficile to form. Synthetics Biologics today proved that their drug does the intended function of preserving good gut bacteria and preventing C. difficile from forming. In addition, it does so without affecting the antibiotic in the bloodstream targeting the other intended infection. 

Synthetic Biologics started the day at $2.80 per share and hit a high for the day at $3.05 per share. Despite today’s news, the share price closed up only 1.40% to $2.90 per share.