SZN-043 Phase 1a clinical trial results to be presented at the 2024 European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) in Milan

Preclinical data from ARVO 2024 demonstrate the promise of a Surrozen antibody based Wnt mimetic, to activate targeted cell regeneration in cornea endothelial dystrophies and dry eye disease

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May  08, 2024  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Surrozen, Inc. ("Surrozen" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: SRZN), a company pioneering targeted therapeutics that selectively activate the Wnt pathway for tissue repair and regeneration, today provided first quarter 2024 financial results and business updates.

"2024 is expected to be an important year focused on advancing the SZN-043 Phase 1b trial toward proof-of-concept data in patients with severe alcohol-associated hepatitis and communicating data from key R&D programs focused on Wnt modulation at upcoming medical meetings and in publications," said Craig Parker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Surrozen. "Surrozen remains driven to transform the treatment of severe diseases of the liver and eye, where we believe Wnt modulation plays an essential role."

Research and Development Pipeline Highlights

SZN-043
Surrozen is developing SZN-043 for severe liver disease with an initial focus in severe alcohol-associated hepatitis.

Clinical Development Timelines/Milestones:

• Completed Phase 1a study in healthy volunteers and chronic liver disease patients in the first quarter of 2024

• Regulatory filings submitted in multiple countries for Phase 1b study and enrollment is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2024

• Anticipate proof-of-concept data may be available in the first half of 2025

Research Pipeline Programs and Publications

• Surrozen presented preclinical data at 2024 ARVO that suggests that activation of the Wnt pathway through the company's antibody based Wnt mimetic may provide a novel approach to treatment of severe eye diseases -- cornea endothelial dystrophies and dry eye disease

• Surrozen published study in Respiratory Research demonstrating the promise of a Wnt mimetic antibody in treating pulmonary fibrosis (April, 2024:  

  • In a preclinical model of pulmonary fibrosis, a Surrozen antibody-based SWAP platform molecule decreased pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis and improved lung function

  • Results highlight the potential of Wnt mimetic agonists to repair tissue after damage in severe lung diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Corporate Updates

Corporate Partnerships
Surrozen executed a partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) in the fourth quarter of 2022 to develop a Wnt agonist, SZN-413, for the treatment of people with retinal diseases. We anticipate the potential to nominate the lead Fzd-4 targeted Wnt agonist development candidate in 2024, which would trigger a $10.0 million milestone payment to the Company.

Financial Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2024

Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents were $27.3 million as of March 31, 2024, compared to $36.0 million as of December 31, 2023. However, inclusive of proceeds from a financing completed in April 2024, the proforma cash for March 31, 2024 would be $43.2M.

Research and Development Expenses: Research and development expenses for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 were $5.2 million, as compared to $8.1 million for the same period in 2023. The decreases were primarily due to the restructuring plans executed in 2023 to prioritize and focus our resources on clinical stage programs. Research and development expenses include non-cash stock-based compensation expenses of $0.3 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 and the same period in 2023.

General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 were $3.9 million, as compared to $5.3 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily a result of the restructuring plans executed in 2023. General and administrative expenses include non-cash stock-based compensation expenses of $0.7 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, as compared to $0.8 million for the same period in 2023.

Restructuring: Restructuring charges for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 were zero, as compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease was attributable to a restructuring plan implemented in the first quarter of 2023.

Interest Income: Interest income for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 was $0.4 million, as compared to $0.5 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily related to the decrease in our money market funds and marketable securities.

Other Expense, Net: Other expense, net for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 was $0.1 million, as compared to $0.3 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily related to the non-cash change in fair value of warrant liabilities.

Net Loss: Net loss for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 was $8.8 million, as compared to $14.3 million for the same period in 2023.

About SZN-043 for Severe Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis
SZN-043 is the first development candidate using Surrozen's SWEETS technology. Surrozen is developing SZN-043 for severe liver diseases, initially focusing on alcohol-associated hepatitis. The Company has completed a Phase 1a clinical trial in patients with chronic liver disease and healthy volunteers. SZN-043 demonstrated acceptable safety and tolerability in all subjects, with evidence of target engagement, Wnt signal activation and effects on liver function. The Company is in the process of initiating enrollment in the Phase 1b clinical trial in patients with severe alcohol-associated hepatitis and expects that proof-of-concept data from this trial may be available in the first half of 2025.

About SZN-413 for Retinal Diseases
SZN-413 is a bi-specific antibody targeting Fzd4-mediated Wnt signaling designed using Surrozen's SWAP technology. It is currently being developed for the treatment of retinal vascular-associated diseases. Data generated by Surrozen with SZN-413 in preclinical models of retinopathy demonstrated that SZN-413 could potently stimulate Wnt signaling in the eye, induce normal retinal vessel regrowth, suppress pathological vessel growth and reduce vascular leakage. This novel approach could thus potentially allow for regeneration of healthy eye tissue, not only halting retinopathy, but possibly allowing for a full reversal of the patient's disease.

In the fourth quarter of 2022, Surrozen entered into a strategic partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim for the research and development of SZN-413 for the treatment of retinal diseases. Under the terms of the agreement, Boehringer Ingelheim received an exclusive, worldwide license to develop SZN-413 and other Fzd4-specific Wnt-modulating molecules for all purposes, including as a treatment for retinal diseases, in exchange for an upfront payment to Surrozen of $12.5 million. Surrozen will also be eligible to receive up to $587.0 million in success-based development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, in addition to mid-single digit to low-double digit royalties on sales. After an initial period of joint research, Boehringer Ingelheim will assume all development and commercial responsibilities.

About Wnt Signaling
Wnt signaling plays key roles in the control of development, homeostasis, and regeneration of many essential organs and tissues, including liver, intestine, lung, kidney, retina, central nervous system, cochlea, bone, and others. Modulation of Wnt signaling pathways has potential for treatment of degenerative diseases and tissue injuries. Surrozen's platform and proprietary technologies have the potential to overcome the limitations in pursuing the Wnt pathway as a therapeutic strategy.

About Surrozen
Surrozen is a clinical stage biotechnology company discovering and developing drug candidates to selectively modulate the Wnt pathway. Surrozen is developing tissue-specific antibodies designed to engage the body's existing biological repair mechanisms with a current focus on severe liver and eye diseases. For more information, please visit .

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "will," "plan," "intend," "potential," "expect," "could," or the negative of these words and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Surrozen's discovery, research and development activities, in particular its development plans for its product candidates SZN-043 and SZN-413 (including anticipated clinical development plans and timelines, the availability of data, the potential for such product candidates to be used to treat human disease, as well as the potential benefits of such product candidates), and the Company's partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, including the potential for future success-based development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, in addition to mid-single digit to low-double digit royalties on sales. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of the management of Surrozen and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Surrozen. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the initiation, cost, timing, progress and results of research and development activities, preclinical and clinical trials with respect to SZN-043, SZN-413 and potential future drug candidates; the Company's ability to fund its preclinical and clinical trials and development efforts, whether with existing funds or through additional fundraising; Surrozen's ability to identify, develop and commercialize drug candidates; Surrozen's ability to successfully complete preclinical and clinical studies for SZN-043, SZN-413, or other future product candidates; the effects that arise from volatility in global economic, political, regulatory and market conditions; and all other factors discussed in Surrozen's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and Surrozen's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the heading "Risk Factors," and other documents Surrozen has filed, or will file, with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Surrozen presently does not know, or that Surrozen currently believes are immaterial, that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Surrozen's expectations, plans, or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. Surrozen anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its assessments to change. However, while Surrozen may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Surrozen specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Surrozen's assessments of any date after the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

Investor and Media Contact:
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