Scynexis secures $214 million BARDA contract to advance oral and IV antifungal SCY-247

BARDA awarded Scynexis a $214 million contract to develop a treatment for invasive fungal infections, including an upfront payment of about $18.5 million.

The funding will support moving SCY-247, a second‑generation triterpenoid (fungerp), into a phase 2 trial. SCY-247 is being formulated for both oral and intravenous use.

SCY-247 targets invasive candidiasis and aims to prevent other invasive fungal diseases. The company previously reported positive phase 1 results for the oral formulation in September 2025 and has completed dosing in a phase 1 study of the IV version.

Fungerp agents are said to have advantages over existing echinocandin antifungals, including oral availability, deeper tissue penetration, and a different mechanism of action.