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 Governance/Nominating Committee.

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 New York at Buffalo.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

99.1 Press Release of Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. dated October 8, 2009.