Silence Therapeutics Reports Full Year 2023 Financial Results and Recent Business Highlights

Rhea-AI Summary

Silence Therapeutics plc, Nasdaq: SLN, reported positive topline 36-week data from an ongoing phase 2 study of zerlasiran in patients with high lipoprotein(a). The company also disclosed its financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2023, and highlighted recent business achievements.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The disclosure of positive topline 36-week data from a phase 2 study can have significant implications for Silence Therapeutics' financial outlook and stock performance. Typically, such results can lead to increased investor confidence, potentially driving up the company's market valuation. The data suggests a promising future for zerlasiran, which could become a key asset in the company's portfolio and contribute to future revenue streams. Moreover, the success of a phase 2 trial often paves the way for phase 3 studies, which are critical for FDA approval and commercialization. Investors should monitor the progress of the drug's clinical trials, as well as any strategic partnerships or funding opportunities that may arise as a result of these positive findings.

Medical Research Analyst

From a medical research perspective, the announcement of positive topline data for zerlasiran is a noteworthy advancement in the treatment of patients with high lipoprotein(a), known as Lp(a). Elevated Lp(a) levels are a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and currently, there are limited therapeutic options available. Zerlasiran, by employing RNA interference technology, offers a novel approach to silencing specific genetic elements responsible for the production of Lp(a). The 36-week duration of the study indicates a sustained therapeutic effect, which is crucial for chronic conditions. The success of this study could signify a breakthrough in the management of cardiovascular risk associated with high Lp(a) and may position Silence Therapeutics as a leader in RNA-based therapies.

Market Research Analyst

Examining the market impact, Silence Therapeutics' announcement may influence the biotechnology sector, particularly companies specializing in RNA interference therapies. Positive data from clinical trials can often lead to increased market interest in similar biotech stocks, as investors look for potential growth opportunities within the industry. The progress of zerlasiran may also trigger competitive responses from other firms working on treatments for high Lp(a). As Silence continues to develop its proprietary pipeline, the company's strategic moves and the potential market for zerlasiran will be of great interest to competitors, analysts and investors alike, shaping the dynamics of the biotech market in the near future.

Silence also announced positive topline 36-week data from ongoing phase 2 study of zerlasiran in patients with high lipoprotein(a)

Company to host conference call and webcast today at 8 a.m. EDT / 12 p.m. GMT

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Silence Therapeutics plc, Nasdaq: SLN (“Silence” or “the Company”), an experienced and innovative biotechnology company committed to transforming people’s lives by silencing diseases through precision engineered medicines, today reported its financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2023, and reviewed recent business highlights.

“2023 was a year of strong execution across Silence as we advanced our proprietary pipeline in the clinic,” said Craig Tooman, President and CEO of Silence. “That’s clearly bearing fruit today with the positive topline 36-week data we announced from the ongoing phase 2 study of zerlasiran in patients with high Lp(a). We are excited about these data and the potential for zerlasiran to address the needs of up to 1.4 billion worldwide living with high Lp(a). In addition to zerlasiran, we’ve made excellent progress advancing divesiran in PV and remain on-track to report phase 1 data by June. On the partnering side, we were pleased for AstraZeneca to enter the clinic with the first product candidate under our collaboration last month, further highlighting the productivity of our mRNAi GOLD™ platform. We look forward to more clinical data unfolding in the coming year from our proprietary programs and building recognition of Silence as a true platform company.”

Recent Business Highlights

Zerlasiran for cardiovascular disease

• In November 2023, reported positive topline data in multiple dose portion of the APOLLO phase 1 study of zerlasiran in patients with high Lp(a).
• Today announced positive topline 36-week data from the ongoing ALPACAR-360 phase 2 study of zerlasiran in patients with a median baseline Lp(a) of approximately 215 nmol/L. Zerlasiran was administered at 300 mg subcutaneously every 16 or 24 weeks and 450 mg every 24 weeks.
  • Study demonstrated highly significant reductions in Lp(a) compared with placebo to week 36 (primary endpoint)
  • Median percentage reduction in Lp(a) of 90% or greater were observed for both doses at week 36
  • No new safety concerns were identified during this treatment period
  • The 60-week study is ongoing and secondary endpoints, including change in Lp(a) from baseline to week 48 (end of treatment period), week 60 (end of study) and potential effects on other lipids/lipoproteins, will be evaluated
  • 48-week topline data expected in the second quarter of 2024

Divesiran for hematological diseases

• Advanced enrollment in the SANRECO phase 1/2 study of divesiran in PV patients.
  • Emerging data from the ongoing phase 1 open label portion of the study continue to look promising
  • On-track to report phase 1 data in the second quarter of 2024

Collaborations

• In February 2024, achieved a $10 million milestone following the initiation of a phase 1 trial of the first product candidate under AstraZeneca collaboration.
• In March 2024, Mallinckrodt notified Silence that they will not pursue further development of SLN501 following the completion of the phase 1 clinical trial. This will conclude all activities and commitments under the collaboration agreement.

“We ended December 2023 with approximately $68.8 million and significantly increased our cash position in early 2024 to over $200 million,” said Rhonda Hellums, Chief Financial Officer of Silence. “We are excited to have multiple programs advancing in the clinic, supported by a substantial cash position that extends our estimated runway into 2026. We also continue to evaluate partnering opportunities that could provide additional non-dilutive funding and further extend our cash runway. Looking ahead, we remain committed to responsibly investing in initiatives that will advance our pipeline and expand our platform into new targets where there is clear unmet need and opportunity to deliver value to patients.”

Financial Highlights for Year End 2023

• Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents of £54.0 million ($68.8 million) as of December 2023, compared with £71.1 million as of December 31, 2022.
• Collaboration Revenue: Collaboration revenue was £25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, and £17.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, and related to research services performed under the collaboration agreements with AstraZeneca, Hansoh and Mallinckrodt.
• R&D Expenses: Research and development (R&D) expenses were £44.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to £35.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase is a result of additional clinical studies and an increase in contract manufacturing activities for Silence’s proprietary programs.
• G&A Expenses: General and administrative (G&A) expenses were £20.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to £19.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase is primarily due to non-cash stock compensation costs.
• Net Loss: Net loss was £43.3 million, or 38.9 pence basic and diluted net loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a net loss of £40.5 million, or 41.9 pence basic and diluted net loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Post-Period Financial Highlights

• In January 2024, received total proceeds of approximately $30 million (includes approximately $20 million from ADS sales under Silence’s Sales Agreement and approximately $10 million in R&D tax credit).
• In February 2024, announced a private placement of ADSs with gross proceeds of approximately $120 million (£94.5 million).
• In February 2024, achieved a $10 million clinical milestone under AstraZeneca collaboration. This will be received in April 2024.
• Total ADSs outstanding were approximately 46,502,272, as of March 1, 2024.

Cash and Liquidity Update

As of December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of £54.0 million ($68.8 million). With the addition of gross proceeds from our private placement in February 2024 of $120 million (approximately £94.4 million) before deducting fees and estimated offering expenses, the $30 million from proceeds from sale of ADSs under our ATM and receipt of our UK R&D tax credit, and the receipt of the AstraZeneca $10 million milestone in the second quarter of 2024, we believe that our cash of over $200 million and anticipated milestones from current collaborations will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2026. We may also achieve further milestones from our current collaboration partners which will further extend our cash runway.

Conference Call & Webcast Details

Company management will host a conference call and webcast today, Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 8 a.m. EDT / 12:00 p.m. GMT.

Webcast link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/rkramk2y

Conference call registration link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIa97253e879ff493bb6fe3a99a6ba3532

The conference call and webcast will also be archived on the Company’s website at www.silence-therapeutics.com.

About Silence Therapeutics

Silence Therapeutics is developing a new generation of medicines by harnessing the body's natural mechanism of RNA interference, or RNAi, to inhibit the expression of specific target genes thought to play a role in the pathology of diseases with significant unmet need. Silence's proprietary mRNAi GOLD™ platform can be used to create siRNAs (short interfering RNAs) that precisely target and silence disease-associated genes in the liver, which represents a substantial opportunity. Silence's wholly owned product candidates include zerlasiran (SLN360) designed to address the high and prevalent unmet medical need in reducing cardiovascular risk in people born with high levels of lipoprotein(a) and divesiran (SLN124) designed to address hematological diseases. Silence also maintains ongoing research and development collaborations with AstraZeneca and Hansoh Pharma, among others. For more information, please visit https://www.silence-therapeutics.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this announcement are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other securities laws, including with respect to the Company’s cash runway and forecast operating cash flow, the Company’s clinical and commercial prospects, regulatory approvals of the Company’s product candidates, potential partnerships or collaborations or payments under new and existing collaborations, the initiation or completion of the Company’s clinical trials and the anticipated timing or outcomes of data reports from the Company’s clinical trials. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company's current assumptions, beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections about its industry. Words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control, are difficult to predict, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including those risks identified in the Company’s most recent Admission Document and its Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof. The Company cautions security holders and prospective security holders not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the view of the Company only as of the date of this announcement. The forward-looking statements made in this announcement relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. The Company will not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions or updates to these forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances, or unanticipated events occurring after the date of this announcement except as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory authority.

SILENCE THERAPEUTICS plc CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS (in thousands, except for loss per share)
				2023				2022				2021
				£000s				£000s				£000s
Revenue					25,375				17,501				12,415
Cost of sales					(10,318	)			(10,880	)			(7,456	)
Gross profit					15,057				6,621				4,959
Research and development costs					(44,025	)			(35,605	)			(30,765	)
General and administrative expenses					(20,636	)			(19,609	)			(20,008	)
Operating loss					(49,604	)			(48,593	)			(45,814	)
Finance and other expenses					(2,152	)			(47	)			(52	)
Finance and other income					1,446				1,272				10
Loss for the year before taxation					(50,310	)			(47,368	)			(45,856	)
Taxation					7,043				6,879				6,446
Loss for the year after taxation					(43,267	)			(40,489	)			(39,410	)
Loss per ordinary equity share (basic and diluted)				(38.9) pence				(41.9) pence				(44.3) pence

SILENCE THERAPEUTICS plc CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands)
	December 31,
			2023					2022
			£000s					£000s
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment				1,813					2,201
Goodwill				7,840					8,009
Other intangible assets				284					320
Other long term assets				2,580
Financial assets at amortized cost				284					284
				12,801					10,814
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents				54,031					54,816
Financial assets at amortized cost				-					16,328
R&D tax credit receivable				17,627					14,882
Other current assets				9,135					9,745
Trade receivables				228					915
				81,021					96,686
Non-current liabilities
Contract liabilities				(58,910		)			(63,485	)
Lease liability				(93		)			-
				(59,003		)			(63,485	)
Current liabilities
Contract liabilities				(5,161		)			(8,864	)
Trade and other payables				(12,429		)			(12,633	)
Lease liability				(179		)			(446	)
				(17,769		)			(21,943	)
Net assets				17,050					22,072
Capital and reserves attributable to the owners of the parent
Share capital				5,942					5,390
Capital reserves				313,769					277,860
Translation reserve				1,951					2,085
Accumulated losses				(304,612		)			(263,263	)
Total shareholders equity				17,050					22,072

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240313711941/en/

Inquiries:

Silence Therapeutics plc

Gem Hopkins, Head of IR and Corporate Communications

ir@silence-therapeutics.com

Tel: +1 (646) 637-3208

Source: Silence Therapeutics plc

FAQ

What type of data was announced by Silence Therapeutics plc?

Silence Therapeutics plc announced positive topline 36-week data from an ongoing phase 2 study of zerlasiran in patients with high lipoprotein(a).

When did Silence Therapeutics plc host a conference call and webcast?

Silence Therapeutics plc hosted a conference call and webcast today at 8 a.m. EDT / 12 p.m. GMT.

Who is the President and CEO of Silence Therapeutics plc?

Craig Tooman is the President and CEO of Silence Therapeutics plc.

What was highlighted as a strong execution across Silence in 2023?

2023 was highlighted as a year of strong execution across Silence as they advanced their proprietary pipeline in the clinic.

What was the focus of the positive topline data announced by Silence Therapeutics plc?

The positive topline 36-week data announced by Silence Therapeutics plc was from the ongoing phase 2 study of zerlasiran in patients with high lipoprotein(a).