Symbiomix Submits New Drug Application to US FDA

Symbiomix recently announced submission of a new drug application (NDA) for Solosec (secnidazole oral granules) for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) to the US FDA. Solosec is a potent, next-generation, investigational 5-nitroimidazole antibiotic with enhanced pharmacokinetic properties, and is anticipated to be the first and only single-dose oral therapy approved for BV.

“Following decades of little innovation, Solosec represents an important potential advancement in the treatment of women’s health infections,” commented Robert Jacks, President & CFO. “As a single-dose oral treatment, Solosec could improve adherence, potentially leading to better health outcomes for the millions of women suffering with BV.”

The NDA is supported by data from a comprehensive set of non-clinical and clinical studies conducted by Symbiomix, including the two pivotal trials in BV (SYM-1219-201 and SYM-1219-301) presented at the Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology (IDSOG) Annual Meetings in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Solosec has been designated a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) by the FDA for the treatment of BV and received Fast Track designation from the agency in 2015, making Solosec eligible for Priority Review and at least 10 years of market exclusivity.

Solosec is a potent, next-generation, investigational 5-nitroimidazole antibiotic with enhanced pharmacokinetic properties. In clinical trials, Solosec demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of BV with only a single, oral, 2-g dose, with excellent safety, tolerability, and adherence.

BV is the most prevalent gynecological infection in the US among women ages 15 to 44. Today, more than 4 million women are treated in the US for BV annually. More than 50% of women treated for BV have a recurrence within 12 months. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that BV can cause serious health risks, including increasing the risk of HIV transmission; increasing the risk of contracting other sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, which, if untreated, may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility; and in pregnant women, increasing the risk of delivering a baby too early. BV disproportionately affects disadvantaged populations, including women of color, and may contribute to persistent disparities in women’s health outcomes. BV has a significant impact on the work productivity and quality-of-life of affected women, with 60% of recurrent sufferers reporting a negative impact on work attendance, job performance, and productivity, and 95% reporting a severe restriction in intimate partner relations.

The current recommended regimen of a first-generation nitroimidazole requires twice-a-day dosing for 7 days for a total administration of 7 g of drug. Adherence with the current leading therapy for the treatment of BV has been shown to be only approximately 50%. Poor adherence to anti-infective therapy is a problem that increases with the length and complexity of the drug regimen, and can lead to treatment failures, recurrent disease, and the more rapid development of resistant microorganisms. These, in turn, may lead to higher healthcare costs, including increased out-of-pocket expenses, increased office visits and tests, additional treatment costs, and lost productivity.

Symbiomix (sim-bye-OH-mix) is a biopharmaceutical company bringing innovative medicines to market for prevalent gynecological infections that can have serious health consequences. The company’s lead investigational drug Solosec (secnidazole oral granules), a potent, next-generation 5-nitroimidazole antibiotic, is anticipated to be the first and only single-dose oral treatment approved for bacterial vaginosis (BV). Symbiomix was founded in 2012 by a team of experienced industry professionals and entrepreneurs and is backed by three of the world’s leading healthcare venture capital firms: OrbiMed, F-Prime Capital Partners, and HBM Partners. Symbiomix is based in New Jersey, with additional offices in Maryland and Connecticut. For more information, visit www.symbiomix.com.