Scynexis Closes Exclusive license Deal With GSK To Commercialize The Novel Antifungal Brexafemme

Scynexis, Inc., a biotechnology company, announced the completion of its previously announced exclusive licence agreement with GSK plc to commercialise the novel antifungal Brexafemme (ibrexafungerp tablets) as a treatment for vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), as well as to further develop ibrexafungerp for multiple indications in invasive and life-threatening fungal diseases. GSK will pay Scynexis an upfront payment of $90 million, plus future potential milestone-based payments totaling up to $503 million, according to the conditions of the agreement.

GSK will also pay tiered royalties ranging from the mid-single digits to the mid-teens on total sales across all indications. Scynexis' SEC filings contain additional information about the agreement's financial aspects. GSK owns the rights to develop ibrexafungerp and commercialise Brexafemme in all countries except the greater China region and a few others that Scynexis has previously licenced to third parties. Scynexis will continue to carry out the phase 3 programme for invasive candidiasis (IC) and other ongoing trials within the terms of the licence agreement.

Scynexis retains all other assets in its unique family of enfumafungin-derived antifungal drugs ("fungerps") in preclinical development for the treatment of life-threatening invasive fungal illnesses. GSK has been granted first negotiation rights to these compounds as part of its exclusive licence deal. Brexafemme (ibrexafungerp tablets) is a new oral glucan synthase inhibitor with broad action, including activity against developing resistant threats. Its method of action is similar to that of echinocandins, with fungicidal activity against yeast (killing the fungus) as opposed to fluconazole, which is fungistatic (inhibiting fungal growth).

It was licenced in the United States for the treatment of VVC in 2021, and it is the first and only oral antifungal approved for both the treatment of VVC and the prevention of RVVC. Brexafemme has been shown to be effective against WHO-designated priority fungal pathogens like Candida albicans. Furthermore, ibrexafungerp has been demonstrated to be effective against Candida auris, another WHO-designated priority fungal disease. Scynexis, Inc. is a biotechnology company pioneering innovative medicines to help millions of patients worldwide overcome and prevent difficult-to-treat infections that are becoming increasingly drug-resistant.