Jersey City, New Jersey-based Scynexis, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCYX) revealed it has been awarded a BARDA contract providing up to approximately USD 214 million in non-dilutive funding to advance second-generation fungerp antifungal candidate SCY-247 for the treatment and prevention of serious invasive fungal infections.
The award was made by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response within the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The initial base period provides approximately USD 18.5 million to support advancement of oral and intravenous SCY-247 into a Phase II trial in patients with invasive candidiasis. If all options are exercised, the contract could support development through New Drug Application submission for two indications: treatment of invasive candidiasis and prevention of invasive fungal infections in high-risk patients. The contract may run for up to 10 years.
The award is structured as a cost-share arrangement, with BARDA supporting eligible direct and general and administrative expenses associated with SCY-247. Scynexis said it expects to fund its share of near-term program costs within its existing operating plan, with no change to previously communicated development plans for SCY-770 or its projected cash runway into 2029.
SCY-247 is a second-generation triterpenoid antifungal candidate being developed in oral and intravenous formulations. The candidate belongs to the fungerp class of glucan synthase inhibitors and has demonstrated in vitro activity against a broad range of fungal pathogens, including strains resistant to currently available therapies.
Scynexis reported positive Phase I single-ascending-dose and multiple-ascending-dose data for the oral formulation in September 2025. The company began dosing the first participants in a Phase I study of the intravenous formulation in February 2026 and said dosing has since been completed, with analysis ongoing.