The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has awarded Scynexis with a $214 million contract for development of a treatment for invasive fungal infections.
The non-dilutive funding includes an initial payment of nearly $18.5 million to support advancement of oral and intravenous antifungal candidate (SCY-247) into a phase 2 trial. The contract has the option for extension for up to ten years and up to $214 million in funding to Scynexis, according to the release.
SCY-247 is a second-generation triterpenoid (fungerp) being developed for the treatment of invasive candidiasis and the prevention of invasive fungal diseases. Invasive candidiasis is a serious fungal infection that occurs when Candida yeast enters the bloodstream and affects deep parts of the body, unlike common infections of the mouth or vagina.
In September 2025, Scynexis reported positive phase 1 data of orally dosed SCY-247 and currently has an ongoing phase 1 study of the intravenous formulation that completed dosing.
The structure and mechanism of action of fungerps offer some advantages over other antifungal classes like echinocandins. Scynexis is developing its fungerps to be both administered intravenously and orally, whereas echinocandins are only offered intravenously. Fungerps also offer deeper tissue penetration compared to echinocandins and a more favorable safety profile, according to the company.
Scynexis licensed its first fungerp to GSK after a tumultuous saga with the London-based company for a final payout of $22 million. Brexafemme was approved in 2021 for indications of vulvovaginal candidiasis and refractory vulvovaginal candidiasis.
The deal first became official in 2023, but GSK found out that the equipment used to make the drug was also used to produce a beta-lactam substance, which can trigger allergies in some people, causing Scynexis to recall the drug and its clinical trial to be on hold with the FDA.