17 Feb 2020 10:00
Silence Therapeutics Launches Scientific Advisory Board
17 February 2020
World-leading scientists and clinicians steer Silence's ground-breaking siRNA research programme into disease areas with high unmet medical need
LONDON, Silence Therapeutics plc (LON: SLN) ("Silence" or "the Company"), a leader in the discovery, development and delivery of novel RNA therapeutics for the treatment of serious genetic disorders, today announces the formation of a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) comprising world-leading experts in drug discovery and clinical development with particular expertise in the rare disease space. Silence has two long-acting, targeted siRNAs scheduled to start clinical research in 2020: SLN124 for iron loading anaemias and SLN360 for addressing risk of heart disease in individuals with raised Lp(a), a component of lipid in the blood. The newly formed SAB will help steer these exciting research programmes.
The SAB will be led by Professor Sir Gordon Duff, the Principal of St. Hilda's College at the University of Oxford. He previously served as Chair of the UK's Committee on Safety of Medicines and of the UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Sir Gordon is an expert on healthcare and UK science policy with a special interest in the genetics of the inflammatory response. He was knighted in 2007 for his services to public health.
The composition of the SAB will not only provide governance for Silence's R&D activities, ensuring the highest standards are met, but will also provide strategic direction as the company develops into a fully-fledged integrated biopharmaceutical company.
Sir Gordon Duff, Chairman of the newly formed SAB said: "It is a pleasure to chair the new Scientific Advisory Board of Silence Therapeutics. I believe that siRNA represents an important new therapeutic modality with the potential to address major unmet need, particularly in the area of cardiovascular disease. I look forward to working with Silence to help optimise patient access to these novel therapies."
Giles Campion, Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D at Silence Therapeutics said: "We are thrilled to welcome this group of world-leading experts to Silence. The formation of our Scientific Advisory Board comes at an exciting time for the business as we prepare to return to the clinic. The calibre and expertise of the SAB members will guide our R&D, not only with respect to current and emerging health care policies, but also to help us as we continue to optimize our siRNA platform and development strategies for our wholly owned assets."
The SAB is summarised below and full biographies can be found on the Silence Therapeutics website https://www.silence-therapeutics.com/about-us/scientific-advisory-board/.
Sir Gordon Duff, Chairman of the SAB, Professor at St Hilda's College, Oxford
Dr. Annemieke Aartsma-Rus, Professor of Translational Genetics at Leiden University and President of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society.
Dr. Art Levin, Executive VP, Research and Development at Avidity Biosciences.
Dr. Henry Ginsberg, Professor of Medicine at Columbia University and Director Emeritus, Irving Institute for Clinical & Translational Research.
Dr. John Porter, Professor of Haematology and Consultant Haematologist at University College London.
For more information, please contact:
Silence Therapeutics plc Iain Ross, Executive Chairman Rob Quinn, Chief Financial Officer
| Tel: +44 (0)20 3457 6900 |
Peel Hunt LLP (Nominated Adviser and Broker) James Steel/Oliver Jackson
| Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 8900 |
European IR Consilium Strategic Communications Mary-Jane Elliott/Chris Welsh/Angela Gray silencetherapeutics@consilium-comms.com
| Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5700 |
US IR Westwicke Peter Vozzo peter.vozzo@westwicke.com | Tel: +1 (443) 213-0505 |
About Silence Therapeutics plc
Silence Therapeutics is developing a new generation of medicines by harnessing the body's natural mechanism of RNA interference, or RNAi, within its cells. Its proprietary technology can selectively inhibit any gene in the genome, specifically silencing the production of disease-causing proteins. Using its enabling delivery systems, it has achieved an additional level of specificity by delivering its therapeutic RNA molecules exclusively to target cells. Silence's proprietary RNA chemistries and delivery systems are designed to improve the stability of our molecules and enhance effective delivery to target cells, providing a powerful modular technology well suited to tackle life-threatening diseases. Silence Therapeutics remains focused and is determined to be responsive to creating shareholder value as well as the appropriate growth and development of its business. Silence Therapeutics continues to assess a number of options which it believes could be beneficial to the Company's future growth prospects and shareholder value, which may include equity fundraisings as well as other strategic licensing and collaboration opportunities. For more information, please visit: https://www.silence-therapeutics.com/