Privately-held Synspira said today that raised $8 million from an unnamed private investor to bring its inhaled cystic fibrosis therapy into a Phase I safety study.
The Boston-based company was founded earlier this year and is focused on developing inhaled therapies for pulmonary diseases, including cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia. Synspira holds an exclusive field license to Synedgen’s Glycomics Technology platform and its pulmonary delivery assets.
The company’s lead program, SNSP113, is an inhaled glycopolymeric agent that treats exacerbations and infections related to CF, according to Synspira. In preclinical trials, the therapy has reduced viability of a range of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and it appears to disrupt bacteria’s protective biofilm.
SNSP113 also demonstrated in preclinical trials that it can boost the efficacy of approved antibiotics.
“Our goal at Synspira is to deliver on the promise that our technology holds for addressing one of the most intractable challenges facing patients with pulmonary diseases, recalcitrant chronic infections and the resulting inflammation,” founding CEO Shenda Baker said in prepared remarks. “We believe SNSP113’s unique attributes represent a potentially important new therapeutic approach and could dramatically improve the lives of patients living with cystic fibrosis, the lead indication we are studying.”
“The buildup of thick mucus in the lungs and the resultant bacterial infection is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis and is the cause of the lung damage which results in premature death,” Dr. Stuart Elborn, from the Royal Brompton Hospital, added. “By directly disrupting this mucus accumulation and the related bacterial biofilm, Synspira is taking a completely novel approach to treating this debilitating and life-shortening disease. New treatment options such as this are needed to help alleviate the burden of CF on thousands of patients around the world.”
In connection with its funding, Synspira said that Dr. William Wiesmann will join the company as board chairman.
“The launch of Synspira represents a significant milestone in realizing our vision for improving the lives of patients living with pulmonary diseases by leveraging Synedgen’s Glycomics Technology platform,” Wiesmann said. “Synspira is sharply focused on developing important new inhaled glycopolymer therapies for pulmonary disease and will be initiating a Phase 1 clinical trial for SNSP113 early in 2018. We also look forward to exploring additional indications such as pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease where the formation of biofilm is a key driver of pulmonary decline.”
