Synergy Pharmaceuticals Reaches Halfway Mark for Second Pivotal Phase 3 Trial of Plecanatide in Patients with Chronic Idiopathic Constipation

Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:SGYP) today announced that it has reached the halfway mark for total enrollment in the second pivotal phase 3 trial of plecanatide in patients with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC).

The trial is currently being conducted at 180 sites and has randomized over 675 CIC patients. This is the second of two ongoing phase 3 pivotal trials designed to confirm the efficacy and safety of both 3.0 mg and 6.0 mg plecanatide once-daily oral tablet versus placebo in patients with CIC. Synergy announced it had achieved the halfway mark for total enrollment in the first phase 3 CIC trial in July 2014. The Company plans to release top-line data from the first phase 3 CIC trial in the second quarter of 2015 and top-line data from the second study in the third quarter of 2015.

For more information on the two plecanatide pivotal phase 3 CIC trials, please visit http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01982240?term=plecanatide&rank=1 or http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02122471?term=plecanatide&rank=2

About Plecanatide

Plecanatide is Synergy’s lead uroguanylin analog in late-stage clinical development to treat patients with CIC and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Uroguanylin is a natural gastrointestinal (GI) hormone produced by humans in the small intestine and plays a key role in regulating the normal functioning of the digestive tract through its activity on the guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) receptor. The GC-C receptor is known to be a primary source for stimulating a variety of beneficial physiological responses. Orally administered plecanatide mimics uroguanylin's functions by binding to and activating the GC-C receptor to stimulate fluid and ion transit required for normal bowel function. Synergy has successfully completed a phase 2b trial of plecanatide in 951 patients with CIC and is currently enrolling patients in two pivotal phase 3 CIC trials. The company also recently announced positive top-line data results from a phase 2b dose-ranging study with plecanatide in patients with IBS-C. Synergy plans to initiate the pivotal phase 3 IBS-C program in the fourth quarter of 2014.

About Synergy Pharmaceuticals

Synergy Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SGYP) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies based on the natural human hormone, uroguanylin, to treat GI diseases and disorders. Synergy has created two unique analogs of uroguanylin – plecanatide and SP-333 – designed to mimic the natural hormone’s activity on the GC-C receptor and target a variety of GI conditions. SP-333 is currently in phase 2 development for opioid-induced constipation and is also being explored for ulcerative colitis. For more information, please visit www.synergypharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward- looking words such as "anticipate," "planned," "believe," "forecast," "estimated," "expected," and "intend," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Synergy's current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, substantial competition; our ability to continue as a going concern; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payer reimbursement; limited sales and marketing efforts and dependence upon third parties; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. There are no guarantees that future clinical trials discussed in this press release will be completed or successful or that any product will receive regulatory approval for any indication or prove to be commercially successful. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in Synergy's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. While the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date hereof, and Synergy does not undertake any obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.