Symic Biomedical

About Symic Biomedical

Symic Biomedical operates as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, established in 2012, with a focus on developing a novel class of therapeutics known as matrix regulators. The company's scientific foundation is built on matrix biology, specifically targeting the non-cellular component of tissues, the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is critical in various disease processes. Symic's technology creates proprietary compounds that mimic the function of proteoglycans, essential macromolecules in the ECM, to protect against tissue degradation and promote healing. This approach allows for localized treatment, potentially reducing systemic side effects.

The company was co-founded by John Paderi, who served as Vice President of Operations until 2019 after completing the Stanford Biodesign Fellowship in 2013. Ken Horne, an experienced life science executive and investor with a background in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, joined as CEO in 2014. Under Horne's leadership, Symic raised over $90 million in funding, including a notable $84.1 million from investors such as Lilly Ventures, Cell Innovation Partners, HEDA Ventures, and Nordic Bioscience. The company advanced two primary candidates into Phase 2 clinical trials before its assets were partnered. Public records indicate that Symic Bio was acquired by Nordic Bioscience.

Symic's pipeline was led by two main candidates. SB-061 was developed as an intra-articular injection for treating osteoarthritis (OA), a market affecting over 600 million people worldwide. Designed to mimic the natural ECM molecule aggrecan, SB-061 aimed to reduce cartilage degradation and inflammation, thereby managing pain and potentially modifying the disease's progression. Clinical trials for SB-061, including the MODIFY-OA and MODIFY2 studies, were initiated to evaluate its safety and efficacy in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The second key candidate, SB-030, was a locally administered treatment designed to prevent peripheral vein graft failure and reduce restenosis following vascular procedures like angioplasty. By targeting the vessel wall, SB-030 intended to decrease inflammation and scarring (neointimal hyperplasia) that can lead to vessel re-occlusion.