Surrozen Strengthens Board of Directors with the Appointment of Eric Bjerkholt

Rhea-AI Summary

Surrozen, Inc. (Nasdaq: SRZN), a biotech firm focusing on Wnt pathway therapeutics, appointed Eric Bjerkholt to its Board of Directors. Bjerkholt, who has extensive experience in biotechnology, is currently the CFO of Chinook Therapeutics and previously served as CFO of Aimmune Therapeutics, leading its $2.6 billion acquisition by Nestlé Health Science. Surrozen's Board now consists of nine members with diverse expertise in the field. CEO Craig Parker expressed confidence in Bjerkholt's insights and strategic acumen, especially as the company aims to develop technologies addressing significant medical needs.

Positive

• Appointment of Eric Bjerkholt brings extensive experience and strategic insights to the Board.
• Bjerkholt's proven track record in finance and business development may enhance Surrozen's positioning in the biotech sector.

Negative

• None.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 05, 2023 (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 announced that Eric Bjerkholt has been appointed to the Board of Directors. Surrozen’s Board of Directors now includes nine members with extensive experience across diverse disciplines in biotechnology and pharmaceutical development.

Mr. Bjerkholt brings extensive business leadership experience across a broad range of roles and is currently CFO of Chinook Therapeutics. He most recently served as CFO of Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc. overseeing the financial reporting, budgeting, internal controls, investor relations, business development, facilities and information technology functions and led the acquisition of Aimmune by Nestle Health Science for $2.6 billion. He also spent 13 years at Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where in addition to CFO, he served in various capacities, including Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Finance, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer. Previously, Mr. Bjerkholt held senior executive finance roles at IntraBiotics Pharmaceuticals, Inc, LifeSpring Nutrition, Inc. and Age Wave, LLC and spent seven years in healthcare investment banking at J.P. Morgan & Company, Inc. He is currently a member of the board of directors and chair of the Audit Committee of CalciMedica, Inc. and member of the board of directors of Cerus Corporation. Mr. Bjerkholt holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Cand.oecon. from the University of Oslo in Norway.

“We are fortunate to have someone with Eric’s diverse experience and record of accomplishments join the Surrozen Board,” said Craig Parker, Chief Executive Officer of Surrozen. “I’m confident Surrozen will benefit from Eric’s insights, strategic acumen and broad biotechnology industry experience.”

“This is an exciting time to join the Surrozen Board,” said Mr. Bjerkholt. “I look forward to working with the team as they focus on developing breakthrough technologies to selectively activate the Wnt pathway in disease areas where there is significant unmet medical need.”

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 inflammatory bowel, severe liver and eye diseases. Please visit www.surrozen.com for more information.

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-1326, SZN-043, and SZN-413, including anticipated clinical development timelines and the availability of data, and the potential for such product candidates to be used to treat human disease. 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 or and clinical trials with respect to SZN-1326, SZN-043, SZN-413 and potential future drug candidates, the Company’s ability to fund our 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-1326, SZN-043, SZN-413, or other future product candidates; the effects that arise from volatility in global economic, political, regulatory and market conditions, which may be adversely affected by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; and all other factors discussed in Surrozen’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 under the heading “Risk Factors,” and other documents Surrozen has filed, or will file, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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 Contact:
Investorinfo@surrozen.com

FAQ

Who is Eric Bjerkholt and what is his role at Surrozen?

Eric Bjerkholt is appointed to Surrozen's Board of Directors, bringing extensive biotech experience as the current CFO of Chinook Therapeutics and former CFO of Aimmune Therapeutics.

What impact will Eric Bjerkholt's appointment have on Surrozen?

His leadership and experience may provide valuable insights and strategic direction as Surrozen focuses on developing targeted therapeutics.

How many members are on the Board of Directors of Surrozen now?

Surrozen's Board of Directors now includes nine members.