Development of a Modified-Release Formulation of Lovastatin Targeted to Intestinal Methanogens Implicated in Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation.

There is growing evidence that methane production, predominantly by Methanobrevibacter smithii, in the intestines is a cause of constipation, pain, and bloating in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). M smithii resides primarily in the large intestine but can also colonize the small intestine. In vitro studies found that the prodrug lactone form of lovastatin, found in cholesterol-lowering drugs, inhibited methane production in stool samples from patients with IBS-C.

Formulation development of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) oral solid dosage form, a β-lactamase to prevent intravenous antibiotic-associated dysbiosis of the colon.

SYN-004 (ribaxamase) delayed release drug product is a multi-particulate, hard capsule for oral delivery of a recombinant β-lactamase enzyme designed to degrade β-lactam antibiotics administered intravenously, and thus prevent colon dysbiosis. Here we describe the development of the SYN-004 enteric coated pellet formulation, which has been tested in multiple clinical trials. Since the SYN-004 drug substance is a buffered liquid, several binder excipients in different ratios were tested to facilitate binding of SYN-004 to sugar spheres.

Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of SYN-004, an Orally Administered β-Lactamase for the Prevention of Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease and Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea, in Two Phase 1 Studies.

Background: SYN-004 is an orally administered β-lactamase enzyme, designed to be given concurrently with certain intravenous β-lactam antibiotics like cephalosporins. SYN-004 is intended to degrade residual antibiotics excreted into the intestine as a result of hepatobiliary excretion and to prevent the disruption of the gut microbiome by these excess antibiotics. Preserving the gut microbiome is expected to prevent secondary infections by pathogens like Clostridium difficile and protect against other antibiotic-associated diarrheas.

Development of SYN-004, an oral beta-lactamase treatment to protect the gut microbiome from antibiotic-mediated damage and prevent Clostridium difficile infection.

The gut microbiome, composed of the microflora that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract and their genomes, make up a complex ecosystem that can be disrupted by antibiotic use. The ensuing dysbiosis is conducive to the emergence of opportunistic pathogens such as Clostridium difficile. A novel approach to protect the microbiome from antibiotic-mediated dysbiosis is the use of beta-lactamase enzymes to degrade residual antibiotics in the gastrointestinal tract before the microflora are harmed.