December 18, 2014

SCYNEXIS, Inc.

3501 C Tricenter Boulevard

Durham, North Carolina 27713

Ladies and Gentlemen:

You have requested our opinion with respect to certain matters in connection with the filing by SCYNEXIS, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, covering the offering of up to 351,653 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $0.001 par value (the “Shares”), pursuant to the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”).

In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon (a) the Registration Statement and the related prospectuses, (b) the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, as currently in effect and (c) the 2014 Plan and such other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below.

We have assumed the genuineness and authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof and the due execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and delivery are a prerequisite to the effectiveness thereof.

Our opinion is expressed only with respect to the federal laws of the United States of America and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We express no opinion as to whether the laws of any particular jurisdiction other than those identified above are applicable to the subject matter hereof.

On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when sold and issued in accordance with the 2014 Plan, the Registration Statement, and related prospectuses, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (except as to shares issued pursuant to certain deferred payment arrangements, which will be fully paid and nonassessable when such deferred payments are made in full).

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

Sincerely,