Surrozen, Inc. announced that preclinical data highlighting the potential for Surrozen's antibody-based Wnt mimetic technologies to treat cornea endothelial damage and Dry Eye Disease (DED) were presented on May 7, 2024 at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting in Seattle. Exploring Cornea Endothelium Regeneration with Selective Wnt Mimetics (Presentation, May 7, 2024, ARVO Annual Meeting): Preclinical studies evaluated whether Wnt signaling activation through Surrozen?s antibody-based Wnt mimetic, that utilizes the SWAP (Surrozen Wnt signal activating proteins) technologies, can induce cornea endothelial cell proliferation and restore vision in cornea endothelial dystrophies when administered locally. The company evaluated a therapeutic approach to stimulate endothelial cell proliferation as human corneal endothelial cells have a limited capacity to regenerate.

The studies profiled both human normal and Fuchs? patient cornea endothelium which determined that Frizzled (Fzd)1/2/7 was expressed in these tissues and that activating Wnt signaling via Fzd1/2/7 in human endothelial cell cultures increases proliferation. The lead molecule, a Surrozen Fzd 1/2/7 SWAP antibody, increased proliferation of endothelial cells in vitro in human cells.

In a mouse model of cryoinjury, the Surrozen?s antibody demonstrated: activation of Wnt signaling, reduced corneal edema and thickness, and demonstrated improved corneal clarity. In eye diseases such as Fuchs? Endothelial Cell Dystrophy (FECD), there is a loss of endothelial cells which leads to corneal swelling, haziness and vision loss.

There are about 2.9 million diagnosed patients with FECD. Current therapies are limited to endothelial transplant or resection once the disease is in a late stage. There is a significant area of unmet need for therapies that could mitigate disease progression and/or improve surgical efficacy.

Results presented by Surrozen demonstrate that activation of the Wnt pathway has the potential to stimulate endothelial cell proliferation, reduce central corneal thickness and improve visual clarity. Antibody based Wnt Mimetic Induced Lacrimal Gland Regeneration and Reverses Aqueous Tear Deficiency (Paper Session, May 7, 2024, ARVO Annual Meeting): Preclinical studies evaluated whether Wnt signaling activation using Surrozen?s antibody-based Wnt mimetic, that utilizes SWAP technologies, can activate lacrimal gland acinar cells and restore tear secretion. Wnt receptors are present in the adult lacrimal gland tissue, and Surrozen?s SWAP antibody activated Wnt signaling, stimulated acinar cell expansion, and accelerated tear volume recovery in preclinical models.

Based on preclinical data, the company believes that Surrozen?s antibody-based SWAP platform molecule has the potential to regenerate lacrimal gland tissue in dry eye disease. In diseases such as DED and Sjogren?s Syndrome, the destruction of lacrimal gland function leads to reduced tear fluid production which leads to irritation, burning sensation, pain and damage to the eye. There are approximately 16 million people in the United States that have been diagnosed with Dry Eye Disease.

Currently, there is no epithelial regeneration strategy available as treatment usually consists of anti-inflammatory topical eye drops and tear replacements.