Surrozen, Inc. (Nasdaq: SRZN), a biotechnology company focused on targeted therapeutics that selectively activate the Wnt pathway, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted the company U.S. Patent No. 12,297,278 for its innovative SWAP™ technology platform.
The newly issued patent, part of Surrozen's expanding intellectual property portfolio, covers tetravalent, multi-specific Wnt surrogate molecules comprised of antibody components that bind to Frizzled (Fzd) receptors and Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related proteins 5 and 6 (LRP5/6). This technology represents a significant advancement in the company's efforts to develop therapeutics that harness the body's natural repair mechanisms.
"The issuance of this patent demonstrates our continuing leadership in discovering novel, antibody-based technologies for surrogate Wnt molecules that selectively and potently modulate Wnt signaling," said Craig Parker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Surrozen. "We believe this recently issued patent covers a broad range of antibody-based approaches to modulating Wnt signaling through Fzd and Lrp receptors."
Technical Innovation in Wnt Pathway Modulation
Surrozen's novel approach utilizes tetravalent antibodies that bring together two different sets of antibody-binding domains—one set that binds to Fzd and another set that binds to LRP. The company's research has revealed that simple bi-molecular interaction between one Fzd and one LRP is insufficient for efficient Wnt signaling.
Key scientific discoveries underpinning the patent include:
- Multivalent binding to Fzd and LRP is required for maximal signaling through selective surrogate Wnt molecules
- Potency and effects of selective Wnt surrogates can be tuned through the valency of Fzd and LRP binders
- The properties of each binder and the format of bispecific molecules can be optimized for specific therapeutic applications
This patent adds to Surrozen's robust intellectual property position, which now includes six issued U.S. patents, 10 patents issued in other countries, and numerous pending patent applications worldwide.
Promising Ophthalmology Portfolio
Surrozen is applying its SWAP™ technology to develop a pipeline of candidates for retinal diseases, an area with significant unmet medical need. The company's ophthalmology portfolio includes:
SZN-8141 for Retinal Diseases
This candidate combines Frizzled 4 (Fzd4) agonism and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) antagonism, potentially offering advantages over single-agent treatments for Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wet AMD). Preclinical data demonstrate that SZN-8141 stimulates Wnt signaling and induces normal retinal vessel regrowth while suppressing pathological vessel growth.
The current standard of care for diabetic retinopathy (including DME), retinal vein occlusion, and wet AMD relies on intravitreal administration of anti-VEGF monotherapies. SZN-8141's dual mechanism of action could potentially address multiple retinopathy indications with improved efficacy compared to existing therapies.
SZN-8143 for Retinal Diseases
Building on the dual-action approach, SZN-8143 combines Fzd4 agonism, VEGF antagonism, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) antagonism. This triple-action candidate may provide enhanced benefits for patients with DME, wet AMD, and uveitic macular edema (UME). Preclinical models have shown that SZN-8143 effectively stimulates Wnt signaling and promotes normal retinal vessel regrowth while inhibiting pathological vessel formation.
SZN-413 for Retinal Diseases
SZN-413 is a bi-specific antibody targeting Fzd4-mediated Wnt signaling, also designed using Surrozen's SWAP™ technology. Currently in development for retinal vascular-associated diseases, preclinical data show that SZN-413 potently stimulates Wnt signaling in the eye, induces normal retinal vessel regrowth, suppresses pathological vessel growth, and reduces vascular leakage.
This approach could potentially enable regeneration of healthy eye tissue, not only halting retinopathy progression but possibly allowing for full reversal of the patient's disease—a significant advancement over current therapies that primarily aim to prevent disease progression.
Clinical Significance and Market Potential
Retinal diseases represent a substantial burden on patients and healthcare systems worldwide. Diabetic retinopathy affects approximately one-third of all patients with diabetes, while AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. Current treatments require frequent intravitreal injections and often provide incomplete resolution of disease.
Surrozen's approach to selectively modulating the Wnt pathway represents a novel therapeutic strategy with potential applications beyond ophthalmology. The Wnt pathway plays crucial roles in tissue homeostasis, regeneration, and repair throughout the body.
The company's focus on developing tissue-specific antibodies that selectively activate this pathway could potentially address a wide range of diseases characterized by tissue damage or degeneration. By harnessing the body's intrinsic repair mechanisms, Surrozen aims to develop treatments that not only alleviate symptoms but potentially restore normal tissue function.
Future Directions
As Surrozen advances its ophthalmology pipeline, the company continues to explore additional applications of its SWAP™ technology platform. The newly granted patent strengthens Surrozen's position as a leader in Wnt pathway modulation and provides protection for its innovative approach to developing targeted therapeutics.
With its expanding intellectual property portfolio and promising preclinical data, Surrozen is well-positioned to advance its candidates toward clinical development, potentially bringing novel regenerative therapies to patients with retinal diseases and other conditions where tissue repair and regeneration are critical unmet needs.
