Silence Therapeutics' Phase I Atu027 Data Accepted for Presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2011 Annual Meeting

LONDON, March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Silence Therapeutics plc (AIM: SLN) ("Silence" or the "Company") a leading global RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics company, announces that interim data from its ongoing Phase I clinical study of Atu027, the Company's lead internal therapeutic candidate, have been accepted for poster presentation at the 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology ("ASCO") Annual Meeting.  The meeting will take place in Chicago June 3-7, 2011.  Atu027, in clinical development for systemic cancer indications, is one of the most clinically advanced RNAi therapeutics in the area of oncology.  

Klaus Giese, Ph.D., chief scientific officer of Silence, and Dr. Dirk Strumberg, Professor of Medicine and Director, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University of Bochum, Marienhospital Herne, the study's principal investigator, will present abstract #3057 titled "First-in-human phase I study of Atu027, a liposomal small interfering RNA formulation, targeting protein kinase N3 (PKN3) in patients with advanced solid tumors."

The presentation will highlight data from Silence's ongoing, open label, single-centre, dose-finding Phase I study with Atu027 in subjects with advanced solid cancer.  Key findings presented will include safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic data, as well as indications of antitumor activity.  Previously published preclinical data demonstrated that treatment with Atu027 prevented the spread of breast cancer to the lungs in preclinical models of cancer metastases, and interim data from the ongoing Phase I clinical trial suggests that Atu027 could have a similar therapeutic effect in humans.

"We are pleased to have our abstract accepted by ASCO and believe that presenting this data at such a prestigious scientific conference represents an important milestone in our efforts to translate our foundational RNAi technology into viable therapeutic products," said Philip Haworth, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Silence Therapeutics.  

Silence expects to complete the ongoing Phase I clinical trial of Atu027 in the second half of 2011.  

Notes for editors

About Silence Therapeutics plc (www.silence-therapeutics.com)

Silence Therapeutics plc (AIM: SLN) is a leading global biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery, development and delivery of targeted, systemic RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics for the treatment of serious diseases.  The company possesses multiple proprietary short interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery technology platforms including AtuPLEX™, a system that enables the functional delivery of siRNA molecules to targeted diseased tissues and cells, while increasing their bioavailability and intracellular uptake.  A second, complementary delivery technology known as PolyTran™ uses a library of novel peptide-based biodegradable polycationic polymers for systemic siRNA administration.  Additionally, the company has a platform of novel siRNA molecules, AtuRNAi, which provide a number of advantages over conventional siRNA molecules, including reduced cytokine induction and decreased manufacturing costs.  Silence's unique RNAi assets also include structural features for a next generation of RNAi molecules and additional proprietary siRNA sequences against more than 50 highly valued oncology and other disease targets.

The Company's lead internal drug candidate is Atu027, a liposomal AtuRNAi formulation in clinical development for systemic cancer indications and one of the most clinically advanced RNAi therapeutics in the area of oncology. Silence is currently conducting an open-label, single-centre, dose-escalation Phase I study with Atu027 in patients with advanced solid tumors involving single, as well as, repeated intravenous administration. The study is expected to be completed in the second half of 2011.

The Company's RNAi therapeutic platform has received key validation through multiple partnerships with pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca, Dainippon Sumitomo, Pfizer, and Quark. Silence is actively pursuing the establishment of additional partnerships.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Silence Therapeutics and Silence Therapeutics assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Silence Therapeutics plc