SLN.L Regulatory News (SLN)

31 Mar 2008 07:49

Silence Therapeutics plcDirectors Dealings

London, 31 March 2008 - Silence Therapeutics plc (the Company) (AIM: SLN) announces that on Friday 28 March 2008 every director of the Company purchased shares in the Company as set out below. In aggregate, the directors acquired 377,082 shares at an average price of 42.94p per share.

The details in respect of each director are as follows:

On 28 March 2008, Iain Ross informed the Company that on this day he purchased 10,000 ordinary shares in the Company at 41 pence per share and 20,000 ordinary shares in the Company at 41.75 pence per share, and acquired an interest in 70,644 ordinary shares in the Company at 45 pence per share through his pension scheme. Following these purchases of, in aggregate, 100,644 ordinary shares, Mr Ross has an interest in 294,960 ordinary shares in the Company, representing 0.25 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company.

On 28 March 2008, Jeffery Vick informed the Company that on this day he acquired an interest through his pension scheme in 31,000 Ordinary shares in the Company at 39.69 pence per share. Following this purchase, Mr Vick has an interest in 31,000 ordinary shares in the Company, representing 0.03 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company.

On 28 March 2008, Melvyn Davies informed the Company that on this day he purchased 50,000 Ordinary shares in the Company at 43.58 pence per share. Following this purchase, Mr Davies has an interest in 112,125 ordinary shares in the Company, representing 0.09 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company.

On 28 March 2008, David U'Prichard informed the Company that on this day he purchased 50,000 Ordinary shares in the Company at 43.58 pence per share. Following this purchase, Mr U'Prichard has an interest in 50,000 ordinary shares in the Company, representing 0.04 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company.

On 28 March 2008, Bernd Wetzel informed the Company that on this day he purchased 22,720 Ordinary shares in the Company at 43.58 pence per share. Following this purchase, Mr Wetzel has an interest in 22,720 ordinary shares in the Company, representing 0.02 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company.

On 28 March 2008, Iain Rugheimer informed the Company that on this day he purchased 11,359 Ordinary shares in the Company at 43.58 pence per share. Following this purchase, Mr Rugheimer has an interest in 11,359 ordinary shares in the Company, representing 0.01 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company.

On 28 March 2008, Jeremy Curnock Cook informed the Company that on this day he purchased 11,359 Ordinary shares in the Company at 43.58 pence per share. Following this purchase, Mr Curnock Cook has an interest in 151,687 ordinary shares in the Company, representing 0.13 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company.

On 28 March 2008, Peter Reynolds informed the Company that on this day he purchased 50,000 ordinary shares in the Company at 40 pence per share and 50,000 ordinary shares in the Company at 44 pence per share. Following these purchases of, in aggregate, 100,000 ordinary shares, Mr Reynolds has an interest in 272,408 ordinary shares in the Company, representing 0.23 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company.

- Ends -

Enquiries:

For further information, please contact the following:

Silence Therapeutics plc Citigate Dewe Rogerson +44(0)20 7307 1620 +44(0)20 7638 9571 Jeff Vick, Chief Executive Officer David Dible Melvyn Davies, Finance Director Emma Palmer Nominated Advisers U.S. Contacts: Nomura Code Securities Limited LaVoie Group +44(0)20 7776 1200 +1 - 978.745.4200 Chris Collins Bryan Murphy ext 105 Gerard Harper Tim Allison ext 102 Notes to Editors

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

Silence Therapeutics plc (AIM: SLN) is a leading RNAi company. RNA interference (RNAi) can selectively 'silence' genes linked to the onset of disease.

Silence Therapeutics has developed novel, proprietary short interfering RNA ('siRNA') molecules, AtuRNAi, which provide a number of advantages over conventional siRNA molecules as they show increased stability against nuclease degradation. In addition, the Company has developed a proprietary systemic delivery system, AtuPLEX. This enables the delivery of siRNA molecules to targeted diseased tissues and cells, whilst increasing their bioavailability and intracellular uptake.

In July 2007, Silence Therapeutics formed a research and development collaboration with AstraZeneca to develop AtuRNAi against five specific targets including those in respiratory indications. In March 2008, the Company entered into a second collaboration with AstraZeneca to develop novel approaches to the delivery of siRNA molecules. The Company's AtuRNAi technology also has been sublicensed to Pfizer through Quark's license to Pfizer of the compound RTP-801i-14 for the treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and a number of other indications. This compound entered the clinic in early 2007. Silence Therapeutics also has licensed to Quark rights to the AtuRNAi structure for its proprietary compound AKIi-5. This compound is in a Phase I human clinical study for treatment of acute kidney injury. In addition, Silence Therapeutics expects to begin the clinical development of its own proprietary AtuRNAi therapeutic molecules for systemic cancer indications in 2008.

Silence Therapeutics is based in London, UK, and Berlin, Germany, and is listed on AIM.

About RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi), a Nobel Prize winning technology, is one of the most exciting areas of drug discovery today. It represents a completely new approach to selectively 'silence' or inactivate disease relevant genes and as such it has the potential to create a new class of therapeutic products. RNAi could therefore offer a therapeutic approach to a broad range of diseases (cancer, infectious diseases, inherited diseases), many of which have been regarded as incurable and are not addressed by current therapeutics, therefore providing a large market opportunity.

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.