Surrozen Earns $10 Million Milestone Payment in Retinal Diseases Collaboration

Core Insights - Boehringer Ingelheim is advancing the development of SZN-413, a bi-specific antibody targeting Frizzled Class Receptor 4 (Fzd4) for potential clinical testing [1][3] - SZN-413 aims to restore retinal function in patients with retinal vascular diseases, which affect nearly 150 million people globally [2][4] - The partnership between Surrozen and Boehringer Ingelheim includes a $10 million payment to Surrozen as part of the agreement [1][4] Company Overview - Surrozen is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing drug candidates that selectively modulate the Wnt pathway, particularly for severe liver and eye diseases [6] - The company utilizes its proprietary SWAP™ technology to create targeted therapeutics aimed at tissue repair and regeneration [1][5] Partnership Details - The strategic partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim was established in Q4 2022, granting Boehringer an exclusive worldwide license to develop SZN-413 and other related molecules [4] - The agreement includes an upfront payment of$12.5 million and potential success-based milestone payments totaling up to $586.5 million, along with royalties on sales [4] Scientific Background - Wnt signaling is crucial for the development and regeneration of various organs, including the retina, and has potential therapeutic applications for degenerative diseases [5] - Preclinical data suggest that SZN-413 may stimulate Wnt signaling in the eye, promoting normal retinal vessel regrowth and reducing pathological vessel growth [2][5]