9 Jun 2008 07:00
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Silence Therapeutics to Present at Upcoming Biotechnology Industry Conferences
London, 9 June 2008 - Silence Therapeutics plc (AIM:SLN) a leading European RNA interference (RNAi) focused biotechnology company, today announced it will give corporate presentations at SMi's 3rd RNAi, siRNA and miRNA Conference 2008, the BIO International Convention 2008, and the Piper Jaffray Europe Conference.
SMi's 3rd RNAi, siRNA and miRNA Conference 2008 takes place June 11-12, 2008 in London, UK. Dr. Ansgar Santel will present a talk titled "Liposomal siRNA for RNAi Applications In-Vivo" on Thursday June 12 at 3:20 PM BST at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in London. For more information, please visit:
http://www.smionline.co.uk/events/overview.asp?is=4&ref=2888.
The BIO International Convention 2008 takes place June 17-20, 2008 in San Diego, CA. Mr. Vick will present on Tuesday June 17 at 2:30 PDT. Silence will also have a booth in the London, UK
pavilion. For more information, please visit:
http://www.bio2008.org.
The Piper Jaffray Europe Conference takes place June 24-25, 2008 at the ANdAZ Hotel
in London. Mr. Vick will present on Tuesday June 24 at 9:40 AM BST in the Great Eastern room. His presentation will be webcast and available live and for replay at:
http://www.piperjaffray.com/conferences.
Representatives from Silence's management team will be available for one-on-one meetings during these conferences.
- Ends -
Enquiries:
For further information, please contact the following:
| Silence Therapeutics plc | European Contacts: |
| +44(0)20 7307 1620 | Citigate Dewe Rogerson |
| Jeff Vick, Chief Executive Officer | +44(0)20 7638 9571 |
| Melvyn Davies, Finance Director | David Dible |
| Heather Keohane |
| Nominated Advisers: | U.S. Contacts: |
| Nomura Code Securities Limited | LaVoie Group |
| +44(0)20 7776 1200 | +1-978-745-4200 |
| Chris Collins | Bryan Murphy x 105 |
| Gerard Harper | Tim Allison x 102 |
Notes to Editors:
About Silence Therapeutics plc (www.silence-therapeutics.com)
Silence Therapeutics plc (AIM: SLN) is a leading European RNAi focused biotechnology company. RNAi can selectively 'silence' genes linked to the onset of disease. RNAi is a Nobel Prize winning technology and one of the most promising areas of drug discovery and development today.
Silence Therapeutics has developed a platform of novel short interfering RNA ('siRNA') molecules, AtuRNAi, that provides a number of advantages over conventional siRNA molecules, including increased stability against nuclease degradation. In addition, the Company has developed a proprietary systemic delivery system, AtuPLEX. This system enables the functional delivery of siRNA molecules to targeted diseased tissues and cells, while increasing their bioavailability and intracellular uptake.
Silence's lead internal product, Atu027, is a proprietary AtuRNAi molecule in preclinical development for systemic cancer indications. Atu027 has successfully completed single and repeat dose toxicology and geno-toxicology studies, as well as a 28-day toxicology study using multiple dosing regimens. Silence plans a regulatory filing in 2008 to commence clinical trials for Atu027.
In March 2008, Silence Therapeutics announced a collaboration with AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) focused on the development of a range of novel delivery approaches for siRNA molecules. Under the terms of the agreement both Silence Therapeutics and AstraZeneca will be allowed to commercialize the truly novel delivery systems that the two partners develop together.
In July 2007, Silence Therapeutics formed its first research and development collaboration with AstraZeneca to develop novel AtuRNAi therapeutics against five specific targets, including those in respiratory indications. This collaboration was the first industry validation of the potential application of Silence Therapeutics' proprietary AtuRNAi molecules and solidified the Company's leadership position in field of RNAi therapeutics.
The Company's AtuRNAi technology also has been sublicensed to Pfizer via Quark's license to them 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 Quark's proprietary compound, AKIi-5, which is in a Phase I human clinical study for treatment of acute kidney injury.
Silence Therapeutics is based in London, UK, and Berlin, Germany, and is listed on AIM.