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<P STYLE="margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>FORM 8-K</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>May
10, 2012</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SYNTHETIC BIOLOGICS, INC.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Exact name of registrant as specified in
its charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; padding-right: 0.8pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><B>Nevada</B></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%; padding-right: 0.8pt; text-align: center; padding-bottom: 1pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; padding-right: 0.8pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><B>1-12584</B></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%; padding-right: 0.8pt; text-align: center; padding-bottom: 1pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; padding-right: 0.8pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><B>13-3808303</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; text-align: center">(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; text-align: center">(Commission File No.)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; text-align: center">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>3985 Research Park Drive, Suite 200,
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Address of principal executive offices)&nbsp;&nbsp;(Zip
Code)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Registrant&rsquo;s telephone number, including
area code:&nbsp;<B>(734) 332-7800</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Former name or former address, if changed
since last report)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white"><B>Item 5.02 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Departure of Directors
or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; background-color: white">To improve corporate
governance and strengthen the Board, on May 10, 2012, the Board of Directors of Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (the &ldquo;Company&rdquo;)
determined to split the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and appointed an independent,&nbsp;non-executive Chairman
of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has appointed Jeffrey J. Kraws to serve as the Company&rsquo;s independent,&nbsp;non-executive
Chairman. Mr. Kraws has served on the Company&rsquo;s Board of Directors since January 2006, and will continue to serve on the
Compensation and Nominations Committees. For his services as independent, non-executive Chairman of the Board, Mr. Kraws will be
issued options exercisable for 100,000 shares of the Company&rsquo;s common stock and will receive annual compensation of $150,000.
Jeffrey Riley will continue to serve as the Company&rsquo;s Chief Executive Officer and President, and as a member of the Company&rsquo;s
Board of Directors.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Item 9.01&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial Statements and
Exhibits.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in; text-align: left">(d)</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Exhibits.</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 0.5in; text-indent: 0">Exhibit 99.1 Press Release dated May 11,
2012&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SIGNATURES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">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.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="background-color: white">
    <TD STYLE="width: 19%; padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 81%; padding-right: 0.8pt">SYNTHETIC BIOLOGICS, INC.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="background-color: white">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="background-color: white">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">Date: May 11, 2012</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">By: <U>&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/ Jeffrey Riley&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="background-color: white">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">Name:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jeffrey Riley</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="background-color: white">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">Title:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chief Executive Officer and President</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 17%; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 3.2pt 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Exhibit</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 3.2pt 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Number</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 83%; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 3.2pt 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 3.2pt 0pt 0"><B>Description</B></P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; text-align: center">99.1</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; text-align: justify">Press Release dated May 11, 2012</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

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[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "v312847_8k.htm", "description": "FORM 8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 14104}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "Synthetic Biologics, Inc.", "cik": "0000894158", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "133808303", "state-of-incorporation": "NV", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-12584", "film-number": "12832455"}, "business-address": {"street1": "3985 RESEARCH PARK DRIVE,", "street2": "SUITE 200", "city": "ANN ARBOR", "state": "MI", "zip": "48108", "phone": "(734) 332-7800"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "3985 RESEARCH PARK DRIVE,", "street2": "SUITE 200", "city": "ANN ARBOR", "state": "MI", "zip": "48108"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "ADEONA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.", "date-changed": "20081027"}, {"former-conformed-name": "PIPEX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.", "date-changed": "20061214"}, {"former-conformed-name": "SHEFFIELD PHARMACEUTICALS INC", "date-changed": "19970730"}]}
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
May
10, 2012
SYNTHETIC BIOLOGICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in
its charter)
Nevada
1-12584
13-3808303
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(Commission File No.)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
3985 Research Park Drive, Suite 200,
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip
Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including
area code:
(734) 332-7800
(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 of the following provisions:
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
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.
To improve corporate
governance and strengthen the Board, on May 10, 2012, the Board of Directors of Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (the "Company")
determined to split the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and appointed an independent, non-executive Chairman
of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has appointed Jeffrey J. Kraws to serve as the Company's independent, non-executive
Chairman. Mr. Kraws has served on the Company's Board of Directors since January 2006, and will continue to serve on the
Compensation and Nominations Committees. For his services as independent, non-executive Chairman of the Board, Mr. Kraws will be
issued options exercisable for 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock and will receive annual compensation of $150,000.
Jeffrey Riley will continue to serve as the Company's Chief Executive Officer and President, and as a member of the Company's
Board of Directors.
Item 9.01    Financial Statements and
Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits.
Exhibit 99.1 Press Release dated May 11,
2012
SIGNATURES
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.
SYNTHETIC BIOLOGICS, INC.
Date: May 11, 2012
By:
/s/ Jeffrey Riley
Name:   Jeffrey Riley
Title:     Chief Executive Officer and President
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
99.1
Press Release dated May 11, 2012