Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 6, 2009
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 297-0020
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any
o Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers’
Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On October 6, 2009, the Board of Directors of Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Dr. Alan F. Joslyn as a
director of the Company. In addition, the Board of Directors appointed Dr. Joslyn Chairman of the Company’s Corporate
Dr. Joslyn is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Edusa Pharmaceuticals, a privately held biotechnology company. From 2007
to 2009, Dr. Joslyn served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mt. Cook Pharma, and as Senior Vice President of Research &
Development at Penwest Pharmaceuticals from 2004 to 2007. From 1995 to 2004, Dr. Joslyn held a number of leadership positions within
Johnson & Johnson focusing on development of gastroenterology products including Propulsid®, Motilium®, Aciphex® and prucalopride.
Dr. Joslyn received his B.S. in medicinal chemistry, B.A. in biology and Ph.D. in biochemical pharmacology from the State University of
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Press Release of Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. dated October 8, 2009.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1609, New York, NY 10170 Tel: (212)297-0020 Fax: (212)297-0019
Synergy Pharmaceuticals Announces Appointment of Dr. Alan F. Joslyn to Board of Directors
NEW YORK, NEW YORK—October 8, 2009 — Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC BB:SGYP.OB SGYPNews), a developer of new
drugs to treat gastrointestinal disorders and diseases, announced today that on October 6, 2009 the Board of Directors of Synergy
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. appointed Alan F. Joslyn, Ph.D. as a director of the Company. In addition, the Board of Directors appointed
Dr. Joslyn as Chairman of the Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee.
Alan F. Joslyn, Ph.D. is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Edusa Pharmaceuticals, a privately held biotechnology company. Prior to
his association with Edusa, he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mt. Cook Pharma from 2007 to 2009, and as Senior
Vice President of Research & Development at Penwest Pharmaceuticals from 2004 to 2007. From 1995 to 2004, Dr Joslyn held a number
of leadership positions within Johnson & Johnson, focusing on development of gastroenterology products including Propulsid®,
Motilium®, Aciphex® and prucalopride. Prior to joining Johnson & Johnson, Dr. Joslyn was engaged in clinical research at Glaxo from
1988 to 1995. Dr. Joslyn received his B.S. in Medicinal Chemistry, B.A. in Biology and Ph.D. in Biochemical Pharmacology from the State
“Dr. Alan Joslyn is a tremendous addition to our board, and I am very pleased to welcome him to Synergy,” said Gary S. Jacob President
and CEO of Synergy. “Alan has played a major role in development of gastroenterology products such as Motilium® and prucalopride and
has considerable experience and knowledge of the gastrointestinal (GI) space. He also brings to our board considerable knowledge of the
drug development and regulatory issues that apply to development of GI drugs.”
“I am very pleased to be joining the Board of Synergy Pharmaceuticals,” said Dr. Joslyn. “Synergy has an innovative and very exciting
technology platform that I believe offers great potential for the treatment of GI drugs and diseases, and I believe my experience and track
record in the development of GI drugs can be helpful as they advance their assets in the clinic. I am particularly interested in the pace of
development of Synergy’s GC-C receptor agonist drug SP-304 to treat GI disorders which is poised to move forward in the clinic in early
About SP-304SP-304 is a member of a new class of non-systemic drugs for treatment of chronic constipation (CC), irritable bowel syndrome with
constipation (IBS-C) and other GI diseases. SP-304 is a synthetic analog of uroguanylin, a natriuretic hormone that regulates ion and fluid
transport in the GI tract. Orally administered SP-304 binds to and activates guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) expressed on epithelial cells lining
the GI mucosa, resulting in activation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and leading to augmented flow of
chloride and water into the lumen of the gut, facilitating bowel movement. In animal models, oral administration of SP-304 promotes
intestinal secretion as well as ameliorating gastrointestinal inflammation.
About Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Synergy is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of new drugs to treat gastrointestinal disorders and diseases, and is a
majority owned subsidiary of Callisto Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC BB: CLSP.OB). Synergy’s lead drug in the clinic, SP-304 to treat gastro-
intestinal disorders, recently finished a Phase I clinical trial in volunteers and the Company plans to initiate a Phase IIa clinical trial of SP-304
in chronic constipation patients in the first quarter of 2010. SP-304 is a member of a new class of non-systemic drugs for treatment of
chronic constipation (CC), irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and other GI diseases. SP-304 is a synthetic analog of
uroguanylin, a natriuretic hormone that regulates ion and fluid transport in the GI tract. Orally administered SP-304 binds to and activates
guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) expressed on epithelial cells lining the GI mucosa, resulting in augmented flow of chloride and water into the
lumen of the gut, facilitating bowel movement. More information is available at http://www.synergybio.net.
President and CEO, Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Slimming and Tissue Strengthening: Soy Isoflavone for a Perfect Body Dr. Daniel Schmid, Esther Belser, Sandra Meister ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract An ingredient comprising the soy isoflavone g
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420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1609, New York, NY 10170 Tel: (212)297-0020 Fax: (212)297-0019
Synergy Pharmaceuticals Announces Appointment of Dr. Alan F. Joslyn to Board of Directors
NEW YORK, NEW YORK—October 8, 2009 — Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC BB:SGYP.OB SGYPNews), a developer of new
drugs to treat gastrointestinal disorders and diseases, announced today that on October 6, 2009 the Board of Directors of Synergy
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. appointed Alan F. Joslyn, Ph.D. as a director of the Company. In addition, the Board of Directors appointed
Dr. Joslyn as Chairman of the Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee.