Core Insights - Surrozen, Inc. is advancing its clinical development of SZN-043, a novel biotherapeutic aimed at enhancing Wnt signaling for liver regeneration, particularly in severe alcohol-associated hepatitis [6][11] - The Phase 1a trial of SZN-043 demonstrated safety and tolerability in both healthy volunteers and patients with liver cirrhosis, with evidence of target engagement and pharmacodynamic effects [5][7][11] - Enrollment for the Phase 1b trial in severe alcohol-associated hepatitis began in Q2 2024, with proof-of-concept data expected in early 2025 [6][13] Company Overview - Surrozen is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing targeted therapeutics that selectively activate the Wnt pathway for tissue repair and regeneration [16] - The company is also developing SZN-413, a bi-specific antibody for retinal diseases, in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, which includes an upfront payment of 587 million [8][16] Clinical Trial Results - The Phase 1a trial involved 40 healthy volunteers and 8 patients with liver cirrhosis, with intravenous doses ranging from 0.5 mg/kg to 3 mg/kg [6][11] - Results indicated transient increases in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and activation of Wnt signaling, as evidenced by improved liver function metrics [2][5][12] Future Developments - Surrozen is focused on optimizing its platform technologies to enhance Wnt pathway modulation, which is seen as a promising mechanism for liver regeneration [7][15] - The company aims to leverage its proprietary SWEETS™ technology for the development of SZN-043 and other therapeutics targeting severe liver diseases [7][11]
Surrozen Presents Preliminary Results from Phase 1a Study of SZN-043 in Healthy Volunteers and Patients with a History of Liver Cirrhosis at the 2024 European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) in Milan