SI
Surrozen, Inc./DE (SRZN)·Q1 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Net loss narrowed materially on disciplined spend: Q1 2024 net loss was $8.8M vs $14.3M in Q1 2023 as operating expenses fell 37% YoY (R&D -35%, G&A -27%) following 2023 restructuring .
- Cash runway extended: cash and equivalents were $27.3M at 3/31; pro forma cash would be $43.2M including April financing, and management believes funding suffices for at least the next 12 months from the 10-Q filing date .
- Pipeline execution: Phase 1a for SZN-043 completed in Feb-2024 with acceptable safety and PD activity; Phase 1b enrollment expected to begin in Q2 2024, with proof-of-concept data targeted for 1H 2025 (timeline shifted from H2 2024) .
- External catalyst: potential $10M milestone in 2024 from Boehringer Ingelheim upon SZN-413 lead candidate nomination, plus EASL presentation of Phase 1a data in Milan; these are near-term stock reaction catalysts .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Cost discipline reduced burn: Total operating expenses fell to $9.1M (from $14.6M), driving a 38% YoY improvement in net loss .
- Clinical progress for SZN-043: “We are excited to have observed activation of Wnt signaling, target engagement and improvement in markers of liver function during the Phase 1a studies and are pleased to advance SZN-043 into the Phase 1b clinical trial in severe alcohol-associated hepatitis” — Craig Parker, CEO .
- Strategic optionality via BI partnership: 2024 nomination could trigger $10.0M milestone; economics include up to $587.0M in milestones and mid-single to low-double-digit royalties .
What Went Wrong
- Timeline push-out: Proof-of-concept for SZN-043 moved to 1H 2025 vs prior expectation of H2 2024, lengthening the catalyst window and potentially delaying value inflection .
- Program rationalization: SZN-1326 for IBD discontinued after Phase 1 SAD due to safety at higher doses and strategic cost considerations, reducing pipeline breadth .
- Funding dependency persists: Company expects significant ongoing expenses and will likely need incremental capital over time despite April financing and cost actions .
Financial Results
Notes:
- Prior quarter (Q4 2023) press release/transcript not found; latest quarter comparison uses Q3 2023 .
Segment breakdown: Surrozen operates a single segment; no segment financials provided .
KPIs
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
No Q1 2024 earnings call transcript was found; themes inferred from press releases and 10-Q.
Management Commentary
- “2024 is expected to be an important year focused on advancing the SZN-043 Phase 1b trial toward proof-of-concept data… Surrozen remains driven to transform the treatment of severe diseases of the liver and eye” — Craig Parker, CEO .
- “We are excited to have observed activation of Wnt signaling, target engagement and improvement in markers of liver function… and are pleased to advance SZN-043 into the Phase 1b clinical trial in severe alcohol-associated hepatitis” — Craig Parker, CEO .
- Company reiterated BI partnership terms and potential $10.0M milestone upon SZN-413 lead nomination in 2024 .
Q&A Highlights
- No Q1 2024 earnings call transcript identified; therefore no Q&A highlights available. We searched Surrozen’s earnings-call-transcript but found none during the period [ListDocuments search returned 0].
Estimates Context
- Wall Street consensus (S&P Global): Estimates were unavailable at the time of this analysis due to data access limitations; no revenue or EPS comparison to consensus can be provided for Q1 2024. Where applicable in future, comparisons will be anchored to S&P Global consensus.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Operating expense reductions are flowing through to narrower losses and lower cash burn; this provides incremental runway to key clinical catalysts .
- The SZN-043 timeline shift to 1H 2025 for POC elongates the catalyst path; near-term visibility hinges on Phase 1b initiation and EASL data disclosure .
- April financing and potential BI milestone de-risk 2024 funding needs, but management still anticipates future capital requirements to support development beyond the next 12 months .
- Discontinuation of SZN-1326 tightens focus on liver/eye and may streamline execution, though reduces diversification of clinical assets .
- Watch for BI’s SZN-413 candidate nomination and any 2024 milestone receipt as non-dilutive catalysts .
- Near-term trading setup: EASL presentation and Phase 1b enrollment news flow are the next visibility events; probability of outsized move will be driven by safety/PD clarity and any BI milestone confirmation .
Sources: Q1 2024 8-K press release and Exhibit 99.1 ; Q1 2024 10-Q ; April 1, 2024 8-K and Exhibit 99.1/99.2 ; Q3 2023 8-K press release ; January 18, 2024 8-K (Other Events) .