Synspira Therapy Could Revolutionize the Battle Against Cystic Fibrosis

Individuals with cystic fibrosis are more prone to chronic lung infections because bacteria accumulate in the airways and form treatment-resistant layers known as biofilms. In turn, such bacterial infections lead individuals with CF to have to undergo prolonged antibiotic treatment. However, experts stress that antibiotic-resistant bacteria is on the rise and they are becoming harder to tackle because they do not respond well to treatment.

Nowadays, this is the leading cause of increased hospitalization rates for those with CF, as well as a faster decline in lung function.

Beginning studies of an alternative therapy

Synspira is a privately-held company that deals with creating a new group of inhaled glycopolymer-based therapies for the treatment of infections and inflammatory disorders. Most recently, it announced the start of its phase 1a study of SNSP113 – an alternative therapy for the treatment of pulmonary complications in individuals with CF. “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” said Shenda Baker, CEO of Synspira. “SNSP113 is the first clinical candidate from a new class of drugs that have the potential to transform the treatment of pulmonary diseases including cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia. By simultaneously reducing infections, inflammation and the build-up of mucus and biofilms associated with cystic fibrosis, we believe SNSP113 could improve outcomes for patients. The initiation of our first clinical trial represents a major milestone for Synspira and a significant step forward toward improving the lives of CF patients,” she added.

Aims of the study

The phase 1a study will start by evaluating the safety and tolerability of slowly increasing doses in healthy individuals and move onto stable individuals with CF in 2018. So far, pre-clinical studies have shown the potential of SNSP113 in targeting infections in CF that can result in lung damage and eventually, respiratory failure. “By targeting biofilms and mucus buildup in the lungs and allowing for the potentiation of antibiotics, SNSP113 has the potential to be effective across a wide range of pulmonary complications in CF patients. If effective, this treatment could change the progression of this life-shortening disease and improve the lives of people living with cystic fibrosis,” said Dr. Steven M. Rowe, Director of the Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center at the University of Alabama. Synspira’s partner, Synedgen, conducted the study – ‘In Vitro activity of novel glycopolymer against clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus’, which was published in the journal Plos One. The aim is to revolutionize the battle against lung infections in individuals with CF by eliminating resistance to methicillin-resistant S. aureus, or MRSA.

SNSP113 is introduced as an alternative to traditional antibiotic treatments for treating MRSA. It interacts with native glycoproteins and polysaccharides to hinder biofilms and loosen the mucus in the airways of individuals with CF, thus allowing antibiotics to pass through freely and break down bacteria. “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. 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,” said Stuart Elborn, center director for Specialist Adult Cystic Fibrosis at Royal Brompton Hospital. 

Read on to learn more about this study and what it could mean for the future of cystic fibrosis.