8-K
false0001824893Surrozen, Inc./DENONENONE0001824893srzn:RedeemableWarrantMember2024-08-122024-08-120001824893us-gaap:CommonStockMember2024-08-122024-08-1200018248932024-08-122024-08-12

 

UNITED STATES
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): August 12, 2024

 

 

Surrozen, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Delaware

001-39635

30-1374889

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

171 Oyster Point Blvd

Suite 400

 

South San Francisco, California

 

94080

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: +1 (650) 489-9000

 

 

 

 

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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 


Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share

 

SRZN

 

The Nasdaq Capital Market

Redeemable warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one-fifteenth of a share of Common Stock

 

SRZNW

 

The Nasdaq Capital Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On August 12, 2024, Surrozen, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information set forth under this “Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition” (including the exhibit referenced herein) shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be incorporated by reference in any filing made by the Company pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)

Exhibits

 

 

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release of Surrozen, Inc. dated August 12, 2024

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 


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.

 

 

 

SURROZEN, INC.

 

 

 

 

Date:

August 12, 2024

By:

/s/ Charles Williams

 

 

 

Name: Charles Williams
Title: Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary

 


EX-99.1

Surrozen Provides Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Business Update

 

Enrollment ongoing in SZN-043 Phase 1b trial in patients with Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis

 

Presented first-in-human data from SZN-043 Phase 1a trial at EASL

 

Published study that demonstrated application of unique Targeted Protein Degradation technologies resulting in robust Wnt signal activation in bispecific antibodies based on the Company's SWEETS technology platform

 

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., August 12, 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 second quarter 2024 financial results and business updates.

 

“We made significant progress in the second quarter with accomplishment of key milestones including dosing the first patient in the SZN-043 Phase 1b trial, presenting first-in-human data from the SZN-043 Phase 1a trial at EASL and publishing new information regarding the promise of our proprietary SWEETS platform,” said Craig Parker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Surrozen. “Surrozen is focused on transforming the treatment of severe diseases of the liver and eye, and we look forward to proof-of-concept data from the SZN-043 Phase 1b clinical trial in the first half of 2025.”

 

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 Milestones and Medical Meeting Presentation

 

Enrollment initiated and ongoing in Phase 1b trial; proof-of-concept data is anticipated in the first half of 2025
Presented Phase 1a trial results at 2024 European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) in June 2024 (LINK: HERE)
-
Treatment with SZN-043 was safe and well tolerated in healthy volunteers and patients with a history of liver cirrhosis
-
Results demonstrated evidence of target engagement and Wnt-pathway mediated pharmacodynamic effects in the liver

 

 


Research Programs Publications

Surrozen published study in eLife (LINK: HERE) describing development of two new ASGR bispecific antibodies that resulted in a robust and cell specific boost to Wnt-signaling through protein degradation technologies
-
These ASGR-targeted SWEETS (Surrozen Wnt Signal Enhancer Engineered for Tissue Specificity) molecules represent a unique targeted protein degradation (TPD) platform, that functions via multiple mechanisms, and expands the potential opportunities to treat liver diseases through cell or tissue-specific regenerative therapeutics with enhanced Wnt signal activation
Surrozen published a review article in iScience (LINK: HERE) that provided a comprehensive summary of work done in the field on invention of various Wnt activating platforms and highlighted the rationales and design rules described so far in this emerging field including the potential for Wnt agonists in the treatment of numerous tissue degenerative diseases

 

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 Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2024

 

Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents were $37.8 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to $27.3 million as of March 31, 2024.

 

Research and Development Expenses: Research and development expenses for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 were $5.3 million, as compared to $6.9 million for the same period in 2023. The decreases were primarily due to the restructuring executed in 2023 to prioritize and focus our resources on clinical stage programs, as well as the discontinuation of the clinical development of SZN-1326. Research and development expenses include non-cash stock-based compensation expenses of $0.4 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $0.3 million for the same period in 2023.

 

General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 were $3.7 million, as compared to $3.3 million for the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily a result of the employee retention tax credits received in 2023. General and administrative expenses include non-cash stock-based compensation expenses of $0.8 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 and the same period in 2023.


 

Interest Income: Interest income for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 was $0.5 million, as compared to $0.6 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily related to the decrease in our money market funds and marketable securities.

 

Other Income, Net: Other income, net for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 was $3.7 million, as compared to $0.3 million for the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily related to a $4.8 million increase in the non-cash change in fair value of warrant liabilities, offset by $1.5 million related to the transaction costs allocated to the warrants issued in a private placement.

 

Loss on Issuance of Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants: Loss on issuance of common stock, pre-funded warrants and warrants for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 was $20.4 million, as compared to zero for the same period in 2023. The increase was due to the fair value of pre-funded warrants and warrants issued greater than the proceeds received in a private placement.

 

Net Loss: Net loss for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 was $25.3 million, as compared to $9.4 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. Enrollment is ongoing in the Phase 1b clinical trial in patients with severe alcohol-associated hepatitis and proof-of-concept data from this trial is anticipated 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. SZN-413 is 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 www.surrozen.com.

 

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 June 30, 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:

Investorinfo@surrozen.com

 


SURROZEN, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

$

5,335

 

 

$

6,937

 

 

$

10,582

 

 

$

15,023

 

General and administrative

 

 

3,714

 

 

 

3,338

 

 

 

7,597

 

 

 

8,637

 

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,207

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

9,049

 

 

 

10,275

 

 

 

18,179

 

 

 

24,867

 

Loss from operations

 

 

(9,049

)

 

 

(10,275

)

 

 

(18,179

)

 

 

(24,867

)

Interest income

 

 

490

 

 

 

623

 

 

 

875

 

 

 

1,170

 

Other income, net

 

 

3,695

 

 

 

265

 

 

 

3,610

 

 

 

13

 

Loss on issuance of common stock, pre-funded warrants and warrants

 

 

(20,397

)

 

 

 

 

 

(20,397

)

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(25,261

)

 

$

(9,387

)

 

$

(34,091

)

 

$

(23,684

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common
   stockholders, basic and diluted

 

$

(7.99

)

 

$

(4.68

)

 

$

(13.00

)

 

$

(11.84

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares used in computing net
   loss per share attributable to common
   stockholders, basic and diluted

 

 

3,162

 

 

 

2,004

 

 

 

2,622

 

 

 

2,001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


SURROZEN, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023(1)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

37,765

 

 

$

36,043

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

2,112

 

 

 

2,152

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

1,760

 

 

 

2,937

 

Total current assets

 

 

41,637

 

 

 

41,132

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

1,198

 

 

 

1,969

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

1,175

 

 

 

1,889

 

Restricted cash

 

 

688

 

 

 

688

 

Other assets

 

 

373

 

 

 

402

 

Total assets

 

$

45,071

 

 

$

46,080

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

173

 

 

$

525

 

Accrued and other liabilities

 

 

3,644

 

 

 

4,126

 

Lease liabilities, current portion

 

 

2,166

 

 

 

2,497

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

5,983

 

 

 

7,148

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease liabilities, noncurrent portion

 

 

 

 

 

882

 

Warrant liabilities

 

 

33,026

 

 

 

115

 

Total liabilities

 

 

39,009

 

 

 

8,145

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid-in-capital

 

 

261,848

 

 

 

259,630

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(255,786

)

 

 

(221,695

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

6,062

 

 

 

37,935

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

45,071

 

 

$

46,080

 

 

(1) Derived from the audited financial statements, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.