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Silence Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SLN) cuts loss, regains SLN312 as divesiran advances

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
10-Q

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Silence Therapeutics plc reported a smaller net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as it advanced its RNAi pipeline and absorbed changes in a key collaboration. Revenue from its AstraZeneca alliance was $0.4 million, up from $0.1 million a year earlier.

Research and development costs fell to $9.1 million from $20.8 million, mainly as Phase 3 readiness work for zerlasiran wound down and headcount declined. Net loss narrowed to $15.0 million (loss per share $0.11) from $28.5 million (loss per share $0.20).

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $70.1 million, and the company believes this will fund operations into 2028, though additional capital will be needed for later-stage development. AstraZeneca decided not to develop SLN312 beyond Phase 1, and Silence will regain full global rights while evaluating further clinical plans. Lead asset divesiran is in a fully enrolled Phase 2 PV trial with topline data expected in the third quarter of 2026, and zerlasiran is Phase 3 ready as the company seeks a partner.

Positive

  • Improved operating profile: Net loss for the quarter narrowed to $14.96 million from $28.53 million, driven mainly by lower R&D spending as major zerlasiran Phase 3 readiness activities were completed.
  • Cash runway into 2028: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $70.1 million as of March 31, 2026 are expected to fund forecast operating and capital needs into 2028.
  • Advancing lead programs: Divesiran’s Phase 2 SANRECO trial in polycythemia vera is fully enrolled with topline data expected in the third quarter of 2026, and zerlasiran is Phase 3 ready following completion of core readiness and manufacturing scale‑up.

Negative

  • Collaboration setback: On March 4, 2026 AstraZeneca notified Silence it will not pursue further development of SLN312 beyond Phase 1, removing a large‑pharma collaborator from this ANGPTL3 dyslipidemia program.
  • Continuing substantial losses: Despite improvement, the company reported a quarterly net loss of $15.0 million and an accumulated deficit of $577.5 million as of March 31, 2026, and expects operating losses to continue.
  • Future funding needs: Management states that additional financing will be required to support planned clinical development activities beyond the current cash runway.

Insights

Losses narrowed and cash runway is solid, but AstraZeneca stepping back from SLN312 offsets this progress.

Silence Therapeutics cut quarterly R&D spending to $9.1M from $20.8M, largely after completing zerlasiran Phase 3 readiness work, helping narrow net loss to $15.0M. Revenue from the AstraZeneca collaboration rose modestly to $0.4M, reflecting ongoing work but still at an early stage.

Liquidity remains a key strength: cash and short-term investments were $70.1M as of March 31, 2026, and management believes this funds operations into 2028. However, they explicitly expect to raise additional capital to support clinical development, so financing risk remains part of the story.

The decision by AstraZeneca on March 4, 2026 not to advance SLN312 beyond Phase 1 removes a large‑pharma backer from one cardiometabolic asset, although Silence will regain full global rights and is evaluating next steps. Nearer term, catalysts include Phase 2 SANRECO data for divesiran in PV expected in Q3 2026 and ongoing business development efforts for zerlasiran and other programs.

Revenue $422k Three months ended March 31, 2026, AstraZeneca collaboration
Research and development costs $9.12M Three months ended March 31, 2026
Net loss $14.96M Three months ended March 31, 2026
Loss per share $0.11 Basic and diluted, three months ended March 31, 2026
Cash and short-term investments $70.1M As of March 31, 2026; expected to fund operations into 2028
Contract liabilities $55.22M Deferred revenue from AstraZeneca collaboration at March 31, 2026
R&D tax credit benefit $0.69M Three months ended March 31, 2026
Accumulated deficit $577.5M As of March 31, 2026
mRNAi GOLD technical
"Our proprietary mRNAi GOLD™ (GalNAc Oligonucleotide Discovery) platform consists of siRNA product candidates..."
siRNA therapeutics medical
"We are a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel molecules incorporating short interfering ribonucleic acid, or siRNA..."
going concern financial
"In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 205... about and Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern..."
A going concern is a business that is expected to continue its operations and meet its obligations for the foreseeable future, rather than shutting down or selling off assets. This assumption matters to investors because it indicates stability and ongoing profitability, making the business a more reliable investment. Think of it as believing a restaurant will stay open and serve customers, rather than closing down suddenly.
contract liabilities financial
"Contract liabilities represent the Group’s obligation to transfer services to a customer for which the Group has received advanced consideration..."
Contract liabilities are amounts a company has been paid in advance for goods or services it still owes to customers — think of them like gift cards or prepaid subscriptions the company must fulfill later. For investors, they show promised future work or deliveries that will turn into revenue over time, reveal cash already collected, and help assess whether a firm has a backlog of obligations that could affect future earnings and cash flow.
R&D tax credit financial
"An additional $0.7 million was recognized in respect of research and development tax credits in the three months ended March 31, 2026..."
A research and development (R&D) tax credit is a government incentive that reduces a company’s tax bill or provides a cash refund for money spent on developing new or improved products, processes, or technologies. For investors it matters because it effectively lowers the cost of innovation, improving a firm’s cash flow and profit potential while signaling management commitment to growth—think of it as a rebate or discount that makes experimentation and future revenue generation cheaper.
functional currency financial
"The Group changed the functional currency of its U.K. entity from British pound sterling, or GBP, to USD on January 1, 2026."
The functional currency is the single currency a company uses as its primary money for recording business transactions and preparing financial statements — think of it as the company's "home" currency or the money it budgets and measures performance in. It matters to investors because currency choices determine how foreign sales, costs and exchange-rate swings translate into reported revenue, profit and debt, affecting comparisons, risk assessments and valuation.
Revenue $422k $280k increase vs Q1 2025
Net loss $14.96M $13.57M improvement vs Q1 2025
R&D expense $9.12M $11.69M decrease vs Q1 2025
Cash & short-term investments $70.1M Balance as of March 31, 2026
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2026

or

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

 

Commission File Number: 001-39487

 

Silence Therapeutics plc

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

England and Wales

 

Not Applicable

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

12 Hammersmith Grove

 

 

London, United Kingdom

 

W6 7AP

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

+44 20 3457 6900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

American Depositary Shares, each representing three ordinary shares, nominal value £0.05 per share

SLN

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Ordinary Share, nominal value £0.05 per share*

*

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC*

 

*Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing of the American Depositary Shares on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

 

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No

As of April 30, 2026, the registrant had 141,703,840 ordinary shares (including ordinary shares in the form of American Depositary Shares) outstanding, nominal value £0.05 per share.

 


 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or Quarterly Report, contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “objective,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue” and “ongoing,” or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and opinions contained in this Quarterly Report are based upon information available to us as of the date of this Quarterly Report and, while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

the development of our product candidates, including statements regarding the timing of initiation, completion and the outcome of preclinical studies or clinical trials and related preparatory work, the period during which the results of the trials will become available and our research and development programs;
our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our product candidates in the indications for which we plan to develop them, and any related restrictions, limitations or warnings in the label of an approved drug or therapy;
our plans to collaborate, or statements regarding the ongoing collaborations, with third parties;
our plans to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize our product candidates;
the timing of our regulatory filings for our product candidates;
the size and growth potential of the markets for our product candidates;
our ability to raise additional capital;
our commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy;
our expectations regarding our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection;
our ability to attract and retain qualified employees and key personnel;
our ability to contract with third-party suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to perform adequately;
our estimates regarding future revenue, expenses and needs for additional financing;
our belief that our existing cash, cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2028; and
regulatory developments in the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, or EU, and other jurisdictions.

Any forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report reflect our current views with respect to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results and the timing of certain events to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified herein, and those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors,” set forth in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report (if any), as well as information provided elsewhere in this Quarterly Report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 5, 2026. As a result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this Quarterly Report.

 

i


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Page

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025

1

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025

Condensed Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025

2

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025

4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025

5

 

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

6

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

14

ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

25

ITEM 4.

Controls and Procedures

25

 

 

 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

Legal Proceedings

26

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

26

ITEM 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

26

ITEM 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

26

ITEM 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

26

ITEM 5.

Other Information

26

ITEM 6.

Exhibits

27

 

Signatures

28

 

 

ii


 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Silence Therapeutics plc

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note

 

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

$

5,657

 

 

$

11,277

 

Short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

64,421

 

 

 

73,837

 

R&D benefit receivable

 

 

8

 

 

 

22,216

 

 

 

22,007

 

Other current assets

 

 

 

 

 

10,558

 

 

 

11,537

 

Trade receivables

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total current assets

 

 

 

 

 

102,852

 

 

 

118,658

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

1,396

 

 

 

1,581

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

 

 

 

142

 

 

 

167

 

Goodwill

 

 

6

 

 

 

10,358

 

 

 

10,621

 

Other intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

248

 

 

 

288

 

Other long-term assets

 

 

 

 

 

127

 

 

 

127

 

Total assets

 

 

 

 

$

115,123

 

 

$

131,442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract liabilities

 

 

7

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

(168

)

Trade and other payables

 

 

 

 

 

(10,367

)

 

 

(13,356

)

Operating lease liabilities, current

 

 

 

 

 

(93

)

 

 

(89

)

Total current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

(10,460

)

 

 

(13,613

)

Contract liabilities

 

 

7

 

 

 

(55,218

)

 

 

(55,454

)

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

(43

)

 

 

(71

)

Total liabilities

 

 

 

 

$

(65,721

)

 

$

(69,138

)

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary shares - par value £0.05 per share; 141,703,840 shares
   issued at March 31, 2026 (December 31, 2025:
141,701,848)

 

 

9

 

 

 

(10,290

)

 

 

(10,290

)

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

 

(620,006

)

 

 

(617,562

)

Accumulated deficit

 

 

 

 

 

577,526

 

 

 

562,572

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

3,368

 

 

 

2,976

 

Total shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

(49,402

)

 

 

(62,304

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

$

(115,123

)

 

$

(131,442

)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

1


 

Silence Therapeutics plc

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

Note

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

Revenue

 

 

3

 

 

$

422

 

 

$

142

 

Cost of sales

 

 

 

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(54

)

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

 

411

 

 

 

88

 

Research and development costs

 

 

 

 

 

(9,122

)

 

 

(20,813

)

General and administrative expenses

 

 

 

 

 

(7,026

)

 

 

(7,684

)

Operating loss

 

 

 

 

 

(15,737

)

 

 

(28,409

)

Foreign currency gain/(loss), net

 

 

 

 

 

(482

)

 

 

(3,769

)

Other income, net

 

 

 

 

 

571

 

 

 

969

 

Benefit from R&D credit

 

8

 

 

 

691

 

 

 

2,679

 

Loss before income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

(14,957

)

 

 

(28,530

)

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Net Loss

 

 

 

 

$

(14,957

)

 

$

(28,530

)

Loss per share (basic and diluted)

 

5

 

 

$

(0.11

)

 

$

(0.20

)

Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted)

 

 

 

 

 

141,702,578

 

 

 

141,678,734

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

2


 

Silence Therapeutics plc

Condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss)

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

Net Loss

 

$

(14,957

)

 

$

(28,530

)

Other comprehensive (loss)/income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange differences arising on consolidation of foreign operations
   (net of tax)

 

 

(392

)

 

 

3,696

 

Total other comprehensive (loss)/income for the period

 

 

(392

)

 

 

3,696

 

Total comprehensive loss for the period

 

$

(15,349

)

 

$

(24,834

)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


 

Silence Therapeutics plc

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

(Unaudited, in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note

 

 

Shares

 

 

Cost

 

 

Additional paid-
in capital

 

 

Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income

 

 

Accumulated
deficit

 

 

Total
shareholders'
equity

 

At January 1, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

141,674,074

 

 

$

10,288

 

 

$

609,560

 

 

$

(11,780

)

 

$

(474,045

)

 

$

134,023

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(28,530

)

 

 

(28,530

)

Foreign currency translation adjustments (net of tax)

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

$

3,696

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,696

 

Recognition of share-based payments

 

 

10

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,540

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,540

 

Options exercised in the period

 

9/10

 

 

 

16,776

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(39

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

-

 

Proceeds from shares issued

 

9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

14

 

At March 31, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

141,690,850

 

 

$

10,289

 

 

$

613,074

 

 

$

(8,084

)

 

$

(502,536

)

 

$

112,743

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At January 1, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

141,701,848

 

 

$

10,290

 

 

$

617,562

 

 

$

(2,976

)

 

$

(562,572

)

 

$

62,304

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(14,957

)

 

 

(14,957

)

Foreign currency translation adjustments (net of tax)

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(392

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(392

)

Recognition of share-based payments

 

 

10

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,447

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,447

 

Options exercised in the period

 

9/10

 

 

 

1,992

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

-

 

Proceeds from shares issued

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

At March 31, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

141,703,840

 

 

$

10,290

 

 

$

620,006

 

 

$

(3,368

)

 

$

(577,526

)

 

$

49,402

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


 

Silence Therapeutics plc

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

Cash flow from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(14,957

)

 

$

(28,530

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating
   activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

 

72

 

 

 

73

 

Amortization expense

 

 

34

 

 

 

65

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

2,447

 

 

 

3,540

 

Net foreign exchange impacts

 

 

(25

)

 

 

3,020

 

Other income, net

 

 

(519

)

 

 

(969

)

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

Decrease in trade receivables

 

 

-

 

 

 

940

 

Decrease/(increase) in other current assets

 

 

931

 

 

 

(592

)

(Increase)/decrease in R&D benefit receivable

 

 

(209

)

 

 

8,338

 

Decrease in other long-term assets

 

 

-

 

 

 

89

 

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

 

 

(2,949

)

 

 

1,848

 

Increase in contract liabilities

 

 

(404

)

 

 

(72

)

Increase in operating lease liabilities

 

 

(24

)

 

 

(59

)

Net cash used in operations

 

 

(15,603

)

 

 

(12,309

)

Cash flow from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redemption of term deposits

 

 

74,427

 

 

 

25,683

 

Purchase of term deposits

 

 

(64,427

)

 

 

(70,060

)

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

 

-

 

 

 

(4

)

Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

(44,381

)

Cash flow from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares

 

 

-

 

 

 

14

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

-

 

 

 

14

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(5,603

)

 

 

(56,676

)

Cash and cash equivalents at start of period

 

 

11,277

 

 

 

121,330

 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents held

 

 

(17

)

 

 

232

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

5,657

 

 

$

64,886

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax paid

 

 

(88

)

 

 

(76

)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5


 

Silence Therapeutics plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1. General information

1.1. Nature of the business

Silence Therapeutics plc and its subsidiaries, or together, the Group or Company, are primarily involved in the discovery, delivery and development of RNA therapeutics. Silence Therapeutics plc, a public company limited by shares registered in England and Wales, with company number 02992058, is the Group’s ultimate parent company. The Company’s registered office is 27 Eastcastle Street, London, United Kingdom W1W 8DH and the principal place of business is 12 Hammersmith Grove, London, United Kingdom W6 7AP.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

2.1. Basis of preparation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP, for interim financial reporting and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements are not included herein. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on March 5, 2026. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of these interim statements have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2026 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2026, any other interim periods, or any future year or period.

2.2. Functional and reporting currency

The reporting currency of the condensed consolidated financial statements is U.S. Dollars, or USD or $. The functional currency of the Group’s subsidiaries reflects the economic environment of their respective operations. All amounts disclosed have been rounded to the nearest thousand, unless otherwise stated.

The Group changed the functional currency of its U.K. entity from British pound sterling, or GBP, to USD on January 1, 2026. Management determined that changes in economic facts and circumstances, such as a significant shift in mix of the currencies used in the U.K. entity's operating cash flows, represented a significant change that was other-than-temporary and required a change in functional currency from GBP to USD. Accordingly, the change in functional currency from GBP to USD was accounted for prospectively beginning January 1, 2026.

The translated balances of monetary and nonmonetary assets and liabilities recorded in the reporting entity’s consolidated financial statements as of the end of the prior reporting period become the new accounting basis for those assets and liabilities in the period of the change. To the extent that the distinct and separable operation has monetary assets and liabilities denominated in the old functional currency, such balances will create transaction gains and losses subsequent to the change in functional currency. The balances previously recorded in accumulated comprehensive loss for prior periods through December 31, 2025 were not reversed upon this prospective change in functional currency. Monetary assets and liabilities not denominated in the new functional currency, USD, will create transaction gains and losses subsequent to the change in functional currency. The Company does not expect that the impact of such gains and losses will be material to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

2.3. Principles of consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial information comprises the financial statements of Silence Therapeutics plc and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

6


Silence Therapeutics plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited) - (Continued)

 

2.4. Use of estimates

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, and compensation during the reporting period. The Group considers that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates their fair value. Bonus accrual and accruals and other payables include accrued severance and other compensation costs, which may include a contingent element, that are currently subject to ongoing negotiation. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in the Group’s condensed consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the recognition of revenue and research and development expenses. The Group bases its estimates on historical experience, known trends and other market-specific or other relevant factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates when there are changes in circumstances, facts and experience. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

2.5. Going concern

The Group has incurred recurring losses since inception, including net losses of $15.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026. As of March 31, 2026, the Group had accumulated losses of $577.5 million and cash outflows from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $15.6 million.

The Group expects to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future as it continues its research and development efforts, seeks to obtain regulatory approval of its product candidates and pursues any future product candidates the Group may develop.

To date, the Group has funded its operations through upfront payments and milestones from collaboration agreements, equity offerings and proceeds from private placements, as well as management of expenses and other financing options to support its continued operations. In 2024, the Group raised additional proceeds of $27.7 million before deducting $0.9 million in placement agent fees and other expenses, from sales of American Depositary Shares or ADSs, under its Open Market Sale Agreement with Jefferies LLC, dated October 15, 2021, or the Sales Agreement. On February 5, 2024, the Group announced a private placement of 5,714,286 of the ADSs, each representing three ordinary shares, at a price of $21.00 per ADS, with new and existing institutional and accredited investors, or the Private Placement. The aggregate gross proceeds of the Private Placement were $120.0 million before deducting approximately $7.7 million in placement agent fees and other expenses. In 2024, the Group received a $10.0 million milestone payment from the AstraZeneca collaboration and received another $2.0 million in milestone payments from the Hansoh collaboration. As of March 31, 2026, the Group had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $70.1 million.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 205, "Disclosure of Uncertainties about and Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, the Group has the responsibility to evaluate whether conditions and/or events raise substantial doubt about its ability to meet its future financial obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The forecast for evaluating the going concern basis of the Group includes continued investment in our technology platform and product pipeline. The forecast does not include collaboration milestones which have not been fully achieved or other assumptions for potential future non-dilutive or dilutive funding sources. Based on this evaluation, the Group believes that its current cash and cash equivalents and short-term investment as of March 31, 2026 are sufficient to fund its forecasted operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2028.

The Group will need to raise additional funding to fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements in relation to its clinical development activities. The Group may seek additional funding through public or private financings, debt financing or collaboration agreements. Specifically, the Group may receive future milestone payments from collaboration agreements which will extend the ability to fund operations. However, these future milestone payments are dependent on achievement of certain development or regulatory objectives that may not occur. The inability to obtain future funding could impact the Group’s financial condition and ability to pursue its business strategies, including being required to delay, reduce or eliminate some of its research and development programs, or being unable to continue operations or unable to continue as a going concern.

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern which contemplates the continuity of operations, realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business and do not include adjustments that would result if the Company were unable to continue as a going

7


Silence Therapeutics plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited) - (Continued)

 

concern.

2.6. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently adopted accounting standards

There were no accounting standards adopted in the current period.

Accounting standards issued but not yet adopted

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40). Additionally, in January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01 to clarify the effective date of ASU 2024-03. The amendments in this update require disclosure, in the notes to financial statements, of specified information about certain costs and expenses at each interim and annual reporting period. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. This guidance should be applied either prospectively to financial statements issued for reporting periods after the effective date or retrospectively to any or all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Group is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its related disclosures.

 

In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-10, Accounting for Government Grants Received by Business Entities which adds guidance to ASC 832 on the recognition, measurement, and presentation of government grants. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2028. The Group is currently evaluating the impact to its consolidated financial statements.

3. Revenue

Revenue from collaboration agreements for the three months ended March 31, 2026 related to the research collaboration agreement the Group entered into with AstraZeneca in March 2020.

Disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers is as follows:

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

$000s

 

 

$000s

 

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research collaboration - AstraZeneca

 

 

422

 

 

 

142

 

Total revenue from contracts with customers

 

 

422

 

 

 

142

 

 

Under its collaboration agreement with AstraZeneca, the Group received an upfront cash payment of $20.0 million in 2020 with a further payment of $40 million received in May 2021. The Group is also eligible to receive specified development and commercial milestone payments as well as tiered royalties on net sales, if any. The Group recognizes the upfront payment and milestone payments over time, in accordance with ASC 606. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Group achieved no milestone payments from the collaboration agreement with AstraZeneca (three months ended March 31, 2025: nil). During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Group recognized a total of $0.4 million in revenue under its collaboration agreement with AstraZeneca (three months ended March 31, 2025: $0.1 million).

 

4. Segment reporting

The chief operating decision maker, or CODM, reviews consolidated net loss for the period when assessing the Group’s performance, allocating resources and establishing management’s compensation. In addition to consolidated net loss, the

8


Silence Therapeutics plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited) - (Continued)

 

CODM receives discrete information for revenue and geographic location. Consolidated net loss is used to monitor budget versus actual results and is reviewed against the Group’s peers and competitors as benchmarking. The Group operates as one reportable segment in the specific technology field of RNA therapeutics.

The accounting policies of its operating segment are the same as those described in the Group’s summary of significant accounting policies.

The Group derives revenues from customers through royalty income and research collaboration agreements, each representing a major customer, specifically related to the development of RNAi-based medicines. Refer to Note 3 – "Revenue" for a further description of the Group revenues.

The measure of segment assets is reported on the balance sheet as total consolidated assets.

The table below provides segment information about the Group:

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

$000s

 

 

$000s

 

Revenue

 

 

422

 

 

 

142

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(54

)

Contracted development costs (a)

 

 

(4,343

)

 

 

(14,673

)

Personnel research and development costs (b)

 

 

(4,165

)

 

 

(5,556

)

Other R&D costs (c)

 

 

(614

)

 

 

(584

)

General & administrative expenses

 

 

(7,026

)

 

 

(7,684

)

Tax expense

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Other segment items (d)

 

 

780

 

 

 

(121

)

Consolidated net loss

 

 

(14,957

)

 

 

(28,530

)

 

(a)
Contracted development costs primarily consist of costs incurred under agreements with contract research
organizations and investigative sites that conduct its preclinical studies and clinical trials; costs related to manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug products for its preclinical studies and clinical trials; and costs for materials used for in-house research and development activities.
(b)
Personnel R&D costs primarily consist of salaries and personnel-related costs for personnel performing R&D activities or managing those activities that have been out-sourced; and consultants’ costs associated with target selection, preclinical and clinical research activities, and the progression of programs towards clinical trials.
(c)
Other R&D costs include associated facility costs, equipment and other overheads that are directly attributable to R&D and depreciation of capital assets used for research and development activities.
(d)
The other segment items include foreign currency gain/(loss), net, benefit from R&D credit, and other income, net inclusive of bank interest receivable and accretion on U.S. treasury bills.

9


Silence Therapeutics plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited) - (Continued)

 

An analysis of the Group’s assets and revenues by location is shown below:

 

 

U.S.A.

 

 

U.K.

 

 

Germany

 

 

Total

 

 

$000s

 

 

$000s

 

 

$000s

 

 

$000s

 

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2025

 

 

-

 

 

 

600

 

 

 

12,184

 

 

 

12,784

 

As of March 31, 2026

 

 

-

 

 

 

562

 

 

 

11,709

 

 

 

12,271

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue analysis for the three months ended Mar 31, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research collaboration

 

 

-

 

 

 

142

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

142

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

142

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

142

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue analysis for the three months ended Mar 31, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research collaboration

 

 

-

 

 

 

422

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

422

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

422

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

422

 

 

5. Loss per share (basic and diluted)

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss (the numerator) by the weighted average shares outstanding for the period (the denominator). Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period adjusted for the dilutive effects of the exercise of the stock options. In periods when losses from continuing operations are reported, the weighted-average shares outstanding excludes common share equivalents because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. The computation of net loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively was as follows:

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

$000s

 

 

$000s

 

Net loss

 

 

(14,957

)

 

 

(28,530

)

Weighted-average shares outstanding (basic and diluted)

 

 

141,702,578

 

 

 

141,678,734

 

Net loss per share (basic and diluted)

 

$

(0.11

)

 

$

(0.20

)

 

The options outstanding at March 31, 2026 and 2025 were considered to be anti-dilutive as the Group is loss-making. These options outstanding are described in Note 10.

6. Goodwill

Goodwill is assessed annually at a reporting unit level, or whenever events and circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. The Group has one reporting unit and performs a qualitative impairment test (also known as “Step 0"), and when necessary, a quantitative test. After assessing the totality of events and circumstances as part of the Step 0 test, it was determined that it is not more likely than not (a likelihood that is more than 50%) that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount and therefore a quantitative test is unnecessary. No triggering events were identified during the period.

The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill:

 

 

 

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

$000s

 

 

$000s

 

Balance at January 1

 

 

10,621

 

 

 

9,392

 

Translation adjustment

 

 

(263

)

 

 

1,229

 

Balance at period-end

 

 

10,358

 

 

 

10,621

 

 

10


Silence Therapeutics plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited) - (Continued)

 

7. Contract liabilities

Contract liabilities represent the Group’s obligation to transfer services to a customer for which the Group has received advanced consideration, before the performance obligation has been satisfied. These liabilities are recognized when a customer prepays for services or when the Group has an unconditional right to consideration before the performance obligation is fulfilled.

Contract liabilities comprise entirely of advance consideration received from customers (deferred revenue) in respect of the AstraZeneca collaboration as of March 31, 2026. The current contract liabilities represent the amount of estimated revenue to be reported in the next 12 months related to amounts invoiced to its partners, while the non-current portion represents everything beyond 12 months. Current and non-current contract liabilities include future revenue from collaboration recharged expenses, upfront payments, and milestones achieved to March 31, 2026.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

 

$000s

 

 

$000s

 

Contract liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

-

 

 

 

168

 

Non-current

 

 

55,218

 

 

 

55,454

 

Total contract liabilities at period end

 

 

55,218

 

 

 

55,622

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

At January 1, 2025

 

 

52,096

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange impact

 

 

3,860

 

 

 

 

Additions during period

 

 

225

 

 

 

 

Revenue unwound during period

 

 

(559

)

 

 

 

At December 31, 2025

 

 

55,622

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

At January 1, 2026

 

 

55,622

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange impact

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

Additions during period

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

Revenue unwound during period

 

 

(422

)

 

 

 

At March 31, 2026

 

 

55,218

 

 

 

 

 

8. Benefit from R&D credit

An additional $0.7 million was recognized in respect of research and development tax credits in the three months ended March 31, 2026 (three months ended March 31, 2025: $2.7 million).

The current asset at March 31, 2026 was $22.2 million, comprised of $0.7 million in respect of research and development activities for the three months ended March 31, 2026, $7.7 million in respect of the year ended December 31, 2025, and $13.8 million in respect of the year ended December 31, 2024.

11


Silence Therapeutics plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited) - (Continued)

 

9. Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

Authorized, allotted, called up and fully paid ordinary shares, par value
   £
0.05

 

 

10,290

 

 

 

10,290

 

 

Number

 

 

Number

 

Number of shares in issue

 

 

141,703,840

 

 

 

141,701,848

 

Number of equivalent ADSs in issue

 

 

47,234,613

 

 

 

47,233,949

 

 

The Group has only one class of shares. All ordinary shares have equal voting rights and rank pari passu for the distribution of dividends.

Details of the shares issued during the current three months and prior year are as follows:

 

Number of shares in issue at January 1, 2025

 

 

141,674,074

 

Number of ADSs in issue at January 1, 2025

 

 

47,224,691

 

Shares issued during the year

 

 

 

Options exercised at $0.20/ADS or $0.07/ordinary share

 

 

17,775

 

Options exercised at $4.23/ADS or $1.41/ordinary share

 

 

9,999

 

Number of shares in issue at December 31, 2025

 

 

141,701,848

 

Number of equivalent ADSs in issue at December 31, 2025

 

 

47,233,949

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of shares in issue at January 1, 2026

 

 

141,701,848

 

Number of ADSs in issue at January 1, 2026

 

 

47,233,949

 

Options exercised at $0.20/ADS or $0.07/ordinary share

 

 

1,992

 

Number of shares in issue at March 31, 2026

 

 

141,703,840

 

Number of equivalent ADSs in issue at March 31, 2026

 

 

47,234,613

 

 

The Group has outstanding ADSs and each ADS represents three ordinary shares.

10. Equity-settled share-based compensation

The Group has issued share options under the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan, or 2023 Plan, 2018 Long Term Incentive Plan, or LTIP, 2018 Non-Employee Long Term Incentive Plan, or Non-Employee LTIP, and individual share option contracts, each of which is or was open to all eligible service providers of the Group. Under the 2023 Plan, the LTIP, Non-Employee LTIP, and individual contracts the options typically vest after three years, with the exception of some options granted to certain members of key management personnel which have longer vesting periods. The vesting period for these options ranges from 3 to 48 months. The vested options usually lapse less than one year following the employee or service provider leaving the Group.

 

 

Number of
ADSs

 

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
price

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2026

 

 

6,961,366

 

 

 

 

Granted during the period

 

 

1,104,085

 

 

 

 

Lapsed or forfeited during the period

 

 

(332,747

)

 

 

 

Exercised during the period

 

 

(664

)

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2026

 

 

7,732,040

 

 

$

12.56

 

Exercisable at the period-end

 

 

4,503,179

 

 

 

 

 

12


Silence Therapeutics plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited) - (Continued)

 

 

The table above shows the number of options in relation to ordinary shares and equivalent ADSs outstanding and exercisable at period end, on the conversion ratio of three ordinary shares to one ADS.

11. Capital commitments and contingent liabilities

There were no capital commitments at March 31, 2026 or December 31, 2025.

12. Related party transactions

None.

13. Subsequent events

None.

13


 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our condensed consolidated financial statements, the related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. The following discussion is based on our financial information prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., or U.S. GAAP, as found in the Accounting Standards Codification and Accounting Standards Update of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results, performance or experience could differ materially from what is indicated by any forward-looking statement due to various important factors, risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Overview

We are a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel molecules incorporating short interfering ribonucleic acid, or siRNA, to inhibit the expression of specific target genes thought to play a role in the pathology of diseases with significant unmet medical need. Our siRNA molecules are designed to harness the body’s natural mechanism of RNAi by specifically binding to and degrading messenger RNA, or mRNA, molecules that encode specific targeted disease-associated proteins in a cell. By degrading the message that encodes the disease-associated protein, the production of that protein is reduced and its level of activity is lowered. In the field of RNAi therapeutics, this reduction of disease-associated protein production and activity is referred to as “gene silencing.” Our proprietary mRNAi GOLD™ (GalNAc Oligonucleotide Discovery) platform consists of siRNA product candidates designed to precisely target and ‘silence’ specific disease-associated genes in the liver. Using our mRNAi GOLD platform, we have generated siRNA product candidates targeting areas of high unmet need across rare and common diseases where treatments are limited or inadequate.

 

Rare Diseases

Divesiran (SLN124) is our potential first-in-class siRNA in Phase 2 development for polycythemia vera, or PV. PV is a rare myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the overproduction of red blood cells, or RBCs. Elevated hematocrit, or HCT, - an index of RBC mass - is a hallmark of the disease and HCT levels above 45% increase the risk of thrombotic and cardiovascular events. The current standard of care in all PV patients to control HCT is phlebotomy, daily low-dose aspirin therapy, sometimes in combination with cytoreductive therapies. PV patients have low levels of hepcidin the body’s master regulator of iron. Divesiran works by "silencing" the TMPRSS6 gene, lifting the natural brake on hepcidin - the body's master iron regulator. When TMPRSS6 is turned down in people living with PV, hepcidin levels rise, reducing iron availability to the bone marrow. With less iron available, the overproduction of RBCs seen in PV is reduced. This helps keep HCT levels in a safer range and can reduce or eliminate the need for phlebotomies. Additionally, siRNA therapies have a highly potent and durable effect - enabling less frequent and more convenient dosing. In the Phase 1 part of the SANRECO clinical trial evaluating divesiran treatment in 21 PV patients, divesiran produced durable HCT control and substantially reduced phlebotomy use following infrequent dosing (Q6W). Based on the strong durability observed in Phase 1, the ongoing Phase 2 part of the SANRECO trial is evaluating both a Q6W and Q12W dosing interval. The SANRECO Phase 2 trial is fully enrolled and topline results are anticipated in August 2026. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, has granted divesiran Fast Track and orphan drug designations for PV. Divesiran has also been granted orphan drug designation by the European Commission for PV in Europe. While our initial focus is on PV, divesiran has shown the potential in preclinical studies to address multiple hematological conditions through the unifying mechanism of elevating hepcidin in conditions with dysregulation of iron homeostasis.

SLN548 is our Phase 1 ready siRNA product candidate that works by "silencing" the complement factor B, or CFB, gene, potentially playing a therapeutic role in conditions associated with over activation of this pathway, including complement-mediated renal diseases, among others. SLN548 has demonstrated positive preclinical results and we are seeking a third-party partner to initiate clinical development.

 

 

14


 

Cardiometabolic Diseases

Zerlasiran (SLN360) is our Phase 3 ready siRNA product candidate for cardiovascular disease that works by "silencing" the LPA gene, lowering production of apolipoprotein(a), a key component of lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), that has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. High Lp(a), defined as 125nmol/L or higher, is a genetically determined cardiovascular risk factor affecting at least 20% of the world’s population and is associated with a high risk of heart attack, stroke and aortic stenosis. Unlike low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, Lp(a) levels are predominantly genetically determined, typically by age five, and unaffected by diet or lifestyle. There are currently no approved medicines that selectively lower Lp(a). Guidelines from the European Atherosclerosis Society, or EAS, Canadian Cardiovascular Society, or CCS, and the National Lipid Association, or NLA, suggest at least one test in an adult lifetime. The American College of Cardiology, or ACC, and American Heart Association, or AHA, recommend testing for those with a family history of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or ASCVD, or personal history of ASCVD. In Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials, zerlasiran showed the potential to substantially lower Lp(a) levels in ASCVD patients with persisting effects following infrequent dosing and was well tolerated with no major safety concerns. We have received positive regulatory feedback from the FDA and European Medicines Agency, or EMA, on the Phase 3 cardiovascular outcomes study design for zerlasiran in patients with high Lp(a). In 2025, we completed core Phase 3 readiness activities, including manufacturing and supply scale up. Zerlasiran is Phase 3 ready and we are seeking a third-party partner for potential Phase 3 development as well as potential future commercialization.

SLN312 is our siRNA product candidate under our collaboration with AstraZeneca that works by "silencing" ANGPTL3, an important modulator of lipid metabolism. Inhibition of ANGPTL3 has emerged as a promising new therapeutic approach to reduce triglycerides (TG) and LDL-C levels, the latter independent of the LDL-C receptor (LDLR) function. Since ANGPTL3 suppresses lipoprotein lipase, or LPL, and endothelial lipase, or EL, activity, its inhibition facilitates the clearance of very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, decreasing both LDL-C and TG levels. AstraZeneca shared interim results from its Phase 1 randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessing SLN312 in 98 patients with dyslipidemia. Interim results showed SLN312 produced durable dose-dependent reductions in ANGPTL3, triglycerides and atherogenic lipoproteins after single and multiple doses. The strong duration of effect observed supports potential for infrequent dosing. SLN312 was well tolerated with no safety concerns identified. Phase 1 data presentations are planned for medical and research congresses in 2026. On March 4, 2026, AstraZeneca notified Silence that they will not pursue further development of SLN312 beyond Phase 1. We will re-gain full development, manufacturing and commercialization rights globally to this clinical asset following Phase 1 and are evaluating plans for further clinical development.

SLN365 is our potential first-in-class siRNA product candidate that works by "silencing" GPR146, a novel mechanism of action for the management of cholesterol levels in patients, independent of LDLR function. Hypercholesterolemia is a highly prevalent indication with an estimated one in 300 individuals worldwide living with the familial form HeFH (heterozygous) and around one in 300,000 individuals suffering from the form HoFH (homozygous) globally. SLN365 has demonstrated promising preclinical results in non-human primates and we anticipate additional preclinical data in the second quarter of 2026.

 

SLN098 is our siRNA product candidate that works by "silencing" INHBE, a novel target for obesity supported by human genetics, strong preclinical data and emerging third-party clinical data demonstrating early efficacy and safety. Despite recent advances in obesity treatment, limitations of current standards of care leave millions at risk of further complications. Around one billion patients worldwide are affected by obesity and associated co-morbidities. Current obesity treatments offer weight loss around 15-20% which plateaus after 12-24 months and are associated with up to 40% lean muscle mass loss. More than two thirds of weight loss is regained within the first year after discontinuation of treatment. There is also poor tolerability and compliance with up to 30% of patients discontinuing GLP/GIP agonists treatment. SLN098 has the opportunity to address unmet needs including increasing fat loss, preventing muscle mass loss and slowing weight regain. SLN098 has demonstrated deep and durable knockdown in nonhuman primates and we anticipate additional disease model data in the second quarter of 2026 to further validate the mechanism of action. We believe there is an opportunity to develop SLN098 either as a monotherapy or add-on to GLP/GIP agonists or as a weight maintenance treatment.

 

First Quarter 2026 and Recent Business Developments

15


 

Divesiran: First-in-class siRNA for PV

SANRECO Phase 1 study abstract accepted for poster presentation at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2026 Annual Congress taking place June 11-14, 2026.
o
Divesiran, A Novel GalNac Conjugated SiRNA, Reduces Phlebotomies, Improves Iron Stores and Symptoms in Polycythemia Vera Patients in Sanreco Phase 1 Study

Abstract #PF886, Poster Session 1 on Friday, June 12 (6:45-7:45 p.m. CEST)

SANRECO Phase 2 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating divesiran 6 mg (Q6W and Q12W dosing intervals) in 48 phlebotomy-dependent PV patients is ongoing with topline results on-track for the third quarter of 2026.

SLN312 (AZD1705): Phase 1 siRNA with a competitive profile for dyslipidemia

Phase 1 study abstract accepted for late-breaking oral presentation at the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) Congress taking place May 24-27, 2026.
o
Liver-Targeted ANGPTL3 Silencing with AZD1705 Lowers Atherogenic Lipoproteins: Preclinical Validation and Phase 1 Results

Abstract #1610, Late Breaker Clinical Abstracts Session on Tuesday, May 26 (3:45–5:15 p.m. EST)

 

Collaborations

AstraZeneca

In March 2020, we entered into a collaboration agreement with AstraZeneca to discover, develop and commercialize siRNA therapeutics for the treatment of cardiovascular, renal, metabolic and respiratory diseases. Under this agreement, AstraZeneca made an upfront cash payment to us of $20.0 million in May 2020. AstraZeneca made an additional unconditional cash payment to us of $40.0 million which was received in May 2021. In March 2020, an affiliate of AstraZeneca also subscribed for 4,276,580 new ordinary shares for an aggregate subscription price of $20.0 million.

The collaboration covered five targets initially with AstraZeneca opting to extend the collaboration to a further five targets. AstraZeneca agreed to pay us $10.0 million upon the exercise of each option to collaborate on an additional target. For each target selected, we are eligible to receive up to $140.0 million in potential milestone payments upon the achievement of milestones relating to the initiation of specified clinical trials, the acceptance of specified regulatory filings and the first commercial sale in specified jurisdictions. For each target selected, we are also eligible to receive up to $250.0 million in potential commercial milestone payments, upon the achievement of specified annual net sales levels, as well as tiered royalties as a percentage of net sales ranging from the high single digits to the low double digits.

In May 2023, AstraZeneca nominated the first product candidate under our collaboration, SLN312 (ANGPTL3), triggering a $10.0 million option fee to us. In February 2024, AstraZeneca initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial for SLN312 which triggered another $10.0 million milestone payment to us. On March 4, 2026, AstraZeneca notified Silence that they will not pursue further development of SLN312 beyond Phase 1. We will re-gain full development, manufacturing and commercialization rights globally to this clinical asset following Phase 1 and are evaluating plans for further clinical development.

 

Components of Results of Operations

Revenue

We do not have any approved products. Accordingly, we have not generated any revenue from product sales, and we do not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of any products unless and until we obtain regulatory approvals

16


 

for, and commercialize any of, our product candidates. In the future, we will seek to generate revenue primarily from product sales and, potentially, regional or global strategic collaborations with third parties.

We recognized the upfront payment, milestone payments, payments for personnel costs and other research funding payments over time.

Under the AstraZeneca collaboration, we received an upfront cash payment of $20.0 million and an additional payment of $40.0 million in May 2021. We are also eligible to receive specified development and commercial milestone payments as well as tiered royalties on net sales, if any. We recognize the upfront payment and milestone payments over time. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, we recognized a total of $0.4 million in revenue under the AstraZeneca collaboration (three months ended March 31, 2025: $0.1 million).

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales consists of research and development expenditure that is directly related to work carried out on revenue generating contracts. This includes salary costs that are apportioned based on time spent by employees working on these contracts as well as costs of materials and costs incurred under agreements with contract research organizations, or CROs.

Operating Expenses

We classify our operating expenses into two categories: research and development costs and general and administrative expenses. Personnel costs, including salaries, benefits, bonuses and share-based payment expenses, comprise a significant component of each of these expense categories. We allocate expenses associated with personnel costs based on the function performed by the respective employees.

Research and Development Costs

The largest component of our total operating expenses since inception has been costs related to our research and development activities, including the preclinical and clinical development of our product candidates. We expense research and development costs as they are incurred and classify them as contracted development, personnel and other.

Our contracted development costs primarily consists of:

costs incurred under agreements with CROs and investigative sites that conduct our preclinical studies and clinical trials;
costs related to manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug products for our preclinical studies and clinical trials; and
costs for materials used for in-house research and development activities.

 

Our personnel research and development expense primarily consists of:

salaries and personnel-related costs, including bonuses, benefits, recruitment costs and any share-based payment expenses, for our personnel performing research and development activities or managing those activities that have been out-sourced; and
consultants’ costs associated with target selection, preclinical and clinical research activities, and the progression of programs towards clinical trials.

 

Our other research and development costs primarily consists of:

costs of related facilities, equipment and other overhead expenses that are considered directly attributable to research and development; and
depreciation of capital assets used for research and development activities.

17


 

The successful development of our product candidates is highly uncertain. Product candidates in later stages of clinical development generally have higher development costs than those in earlier stages of clinical development, primarily due to the increased size and duration of later-stage clinical trials. Accordingly, we expect research and development costs to increase significantly for the foreseeable future as programs progress.

The duration, costs and timing of clinical trials and development of our product candidates will depend on a variety of factors, including:

the scope, rate of progress, results and expenses of our ongoing and future clinical trials, preclinical studies and research and development activities;
the potential need for additional clinical trials or preclinical studies requested by regulatory authorities;
potential uncertainties in clinical trial enrollment rates or drop-out or discontinuation rates of patients;
competition with other drug development companies in, and the related expense of, identifying and enrolling patients in our clinical trials and contracting with third-party manufacturers for the production of the drug product needed for our clinical trials;
the achievement of milestones requiring payments under in-licensing agreements, if any;
any significant changes in government regulation;
the terms and timing of any regulatory approvals; and
the ability to market, commercialize and achieve market acceptance for any of our product candidates, if they are approved.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist of personnel costs, allocated expenses and other expenses for outside professional services, including legal, audit, tax and accounting services, public relations and investor relations services. Personnel costs consist of salaries, bonuses, benefits, recruitment costs and share-based payment expenses for personnel in executive, finance, business development and other support functions. Other administrative expenses include office space-related costs not otherwise allocated to research and development costs, insurance expenses, and costs of our information systems and costs for compliance with the day-to-day requirements of being a public company listed in the United States. We anticipate that our administrative expenses will remain consistent to support our continued research and development and potential commercialization of our product candidates. We also expect to continue incurring additional expenses as a public company in the United States, including expenses related to compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market, or Nasdaq, additional insurance expenses, expenses related to investor relations activities and other administrative and professional services.

Foreign Currency Gain (loss), net

Foreign exchange gains and losses primarily relate to cash and short-term investments held in foreign currencies (primarily USD and Euros).

Other Income, net

Other income (expense) primarily relates to interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents, as well as accretion earned on our U.S. treasury bills.

Taxation and Benefit from R&D Tax Credit

We are subject to corporate taxation in the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany. Due to the nature of our business, we have generated losses since inception. Our income tax credit recognized represents the sum of the research and development, or R&D, tax credits recoverable in the United Kingdom.

As a company that carries out extensive research and development, or R&D, activities, we seek to benefit from the U.K. R&D tax credit regime. In respect of accounting periods in which we qualify as a Small and Medium-sized

18


 

Enterprise, or SME, and in which our qualifying R&D expenditure represents 30% (for periods from April 1, 2024) or more of the total (meaning we are considered as “R&D-intensive” during such accounting period), we may, under this regime, surrender the trading losses that arise from our R&D activities for a cash rebate of up to 26.97% of qualifying R&D expenditure. Based on our current forecast, we do not expect to meet the qualifying R&D expenditure threshold for the year ended December 31, 2026; however, we plan to still expect to claim at the R&D intensive rate as we expect to meet conditions for a grace period under the U.K. R&D tax credit regime. Accordingly, if we cease to qualify as an R&D-intensive SME, in future, we will either cease to be able to claim cash rebates in respect of our R&D activities, or only be able to receive cash payments or other tax relief (under other provisions of the U.K. R&D tax credit regime) at a significantly lower rate than at present. Further, the regime’s rules are complex, and if a tax authority were to challenge or seek to disallow our claims (in whole or in part), for example by asserting that we do not (or the relevant expenditure does not) meet the technical conditions to be granted tax credits (or cash rebates), then such challenge or disallowance, if successful, could have a material impact on our cash-flow and financial performance. In addition, future changes to the U.K. R&D tax credit regime may mean that we no longer qualify for it or have a material impact on the extent to which we can make claims (or benefit from them).

Unsurrendered U.K. tax losses may be carried forward indefinitely to be offset against future taxable profits, subject to numerous utilization criteria and restrictions. The amount that can be offset each year is limited to $6.5 million (£5.0 million) plus an incremental 50% of U.K. taxable profits. After accounting for tax credits receivable, we had accumulated tax losses for carry forward in the United Kingdom of $237.0 million as of March 31, 2026 ($187.7 million as of March 31, 2025). However, in the event of a change in ownership of a U.K. company, certain provisions may apply to restrict the utilization of carried forward tax losses in future periods. These provisions apply where there is a major change in the nature or conduct of a trade in connection with the change in ownership. For the avoidance of doubt, we do not recognize a deferred tax asset in respect of the accumulated tax losses. In addition to our accumulated tax losses in the United Kingdom, we also had $50.5 million of accumulated tax losses as of March 31, 2026 ($48.7 million as of March 31, 2025), related to our operations in Germany for corporate income taxes. We also had $48.9 million of accumulated losses related to trade taxes in our German entity ($47.2 million as of March 31, 2025). We had a foreign tax expense in Germany of nil for the three months ended March 31, 2026 (three months ended March 31, 2025: nil). Tax losses in the United States were negligible.

In the event we generate revenues in the future, we may benefit from the U.K. “patent box” regime that allows profits attributable to revenues from patents or patented products to be taxed at an effective rate of 10%.

Value Added Tax, or VAT, is charged on all qualifying goods and services by VAT-registered businesses. Where U.K. VAT applies at a standard rate, an amount of 20% of goods and services is added to all sales invoices and is payable to the U.K. tax authorities. Similarly, U.K. VAT paid on purchase invoices may be reclaimable from the U.K. tax authorities.

Withholding tax is deductible from dividends, interest, lease of property, royalties, and other China-source passive income since we do not have an establishment or place of business in China.

Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025

The following table summarizes the results of our operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025 (in thousands).

 

19


 

 

Three months ended

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

March 31, 2025

 

 

 

$000s

 

 

$000s

 

 

Change

 

Revenue

 

$

 

422

 

 

 

142

 

 

 

280

 

Cost of sales

 

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(54

)

 

 

43

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

411

 

 

 

88

 

 

 

323

 

Research and development costs

 

 

 

(9,122

)

 

 

(20,813

)

 

 

11,691

 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

 

(7,026

)

 

 

(7,684

)

 

 

658

 

Operating loss

 

 

 

(15,737

)

 

 

(28,409

)

 

 

12,672

 

Foreign currency gain/loss, net

 

 

 

(482

)

 

 

(3,769

)

 

 

3,287

 

Other income, net

 

 

 

571

 

 

 

969

 

 

 

(398

)

Benefit from R&D credit

 

 

 

691

 

 

 

2,679

 

 

 

(1,988

)

Loss for the period before taxation

 

 

 

(14,957

)

 

 

(28,530

)

 

 

13,573

 

Taxation

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Loss for the period after taxation

 

$

 

(14,957

)

 

 

(28,530

)

 

 

13,573

 

Loss per ordinary share (basic and diluted)

 

$

 

(0.11

)

 

 

(0.20

)

 

 

 

 

Revenue

Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $0.4 million, reflecting an increase of $0.3 million as compared to the same period in 2025 due to activity associated with the AstraZeneca collaboration.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales movement was negligible for the three months ended March 31, 2026, as compared to the same period in 2025. The change was due to activity associated with our collaboration agreements, which fluctuates based on the timing of activities and project progression.

Research and development costs

The following table summarizes our research and development costs for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, based on their classification (in thousands).

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

March 31, 2025

 

 

$000s

 

 

$000s

 

Research and development costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contracted development costs

 

 

4,343

 

 

 

14,673

 

Personnel costs

 

 

4,165

 

 

 

5,556

 

Other costs

 

 

614

 

 

 

584

 

Total

 

 

9,122

 

 

 

20,813

 

 

Research and development costs for the three months ended March 31, 2026 decreased by $11.7 million to $9.1 million. This change was mainly due to a decrease in contracted development costs of $10.3 million associated with the Phase 3 readiness for zerlasiran in 2025 as well as a decrease in personnel costs of $1.4 million mainly due to reduced headcount.

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

March 31, 2025

 

 

$000s

 

 

$000s

 

Contracted development costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zerlasiran

 

 

1,014

 

 

 

11,479

 

Divesiran

 

 

2,218

 

 

 

2,903

 

Other contracted development costs

 

 

1,111

 

 

 

291

 

Total

 

 

4,343

 

 

 

14,673

 

 

20


 

 

Contracted development costs for the three months ended March 31, 2026 decreased by $10.3 million to $4.3 million. The decrease was largely due to a decrease in costs related to contract manufacturing activities related to our zerlasiran Phase 3 readiness completed in 2025.

General and administrative expense

General and administrative expenses decreased by $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. These decreases were mainly due to an effort to reduce administrative costs.

Foreign currency gain (loss), net

As of January 1, 2026, the functional currency of our U.K. entity changed to USD and as a result, foreign currency activity included in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was a loss of $0.5 million. In the prior year, foreign exchange gains and losses included in net income resulted primarily from foreign currency (USD and EUR) denominated bank accounts. The foreign exchange losses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were primarily due to remeasurement of U.S. treasury bills held in USD to the related functional currency.

Other Income (expenses), net

Other income primarily relates to accretion from U.S. treasury bills and interest on cash accounts.

Benefit from R&D credit

Benefit from R&D tax credit relates to U.K. research and development tax credits. The decrease in benefit in the current year was mainly related to a reduction in research and development spend.

Taxation

There was no tax expense in the current or prior period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Since our inception, we have incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows. We anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future. We expect that our research and development and administrative expenses will increase in connection with conducting clinical trials and seeking marketing approval for our product candidates, as well as costs associated with operating as a public company.

As of March 31, 2026, we had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $70.1 million. We believe that our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund our anticipated operating and capital expenditure requirements into 2028.

To date, we have financed our operations primarily through the issuances of our equity securities and from the receipt of upfront, milestone and research payments under collaboration agreements with third parties.

On October 15, 2021, we entered into an Open Market Sale Agreement, or the Sales Agreement, with Jefferies LLC, or Jefferies, pursuant to which we may offer and sell, from time to time, our ADSs through Jefferies. In 2024, we raised proceeds of $27.7 million before deducting $0.9 million in placement agent fees and other expenses, from sales of ADSs under the Sales Agreement.

On February 2, 2024, we entered into a securities purchase agreement, or the Purchase Agreement, with the purchasers named therein, or the Investors. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, we agreed to sell an aggregate of 5,714,286 of our ADSs to the Investors, at a purchase price equal to $21.00 per ADS, or the Private Placement. The

21


 

Purchase Agreement contained customary representations and warranties from us and the investors and customary closing conditions. The closing of the Private Placement occurred on February 7, 2024, and we received aggregate gross proceeds from the Private Placement of approximately $120.0 million before deducting $7.7 million in placement agent fees and other expenses.

We have no ongoing material financing commitments, such as lines of credit or guarantees, that are expected to affect our liquidity over the next five years, other than operating leases.

Refer to Note 2.5 in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional discussion of liquidity and capital resources.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes the results of our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025.

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

March 31, 2025

 

 

 

$000s

 

 

$000s

 

Net cash (outflow) from operating activities

 

 

(15,603

)

 

 

(12,309

)

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

(44,381

)

Net cash inflow from financing activities

 

 

-

 

 

 

14

 

(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(5,603

)

 

 

(56,676

)

 

Operating activities

Net cash outflow from operating activities increased by $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, as compared with the same period in 2025. This increase was mainly due to the receipt of $11.0 million related to the 2023 R&D benefit in the three months ended March 31, 2025, while no related claim was received in 2026. This was offset by a reduction in research and development spend in 2026.

Investing activities

Net cash inflow from investing activities relates to redemptions of U.S. treasury bills, offset by purchases for the three months ended March 31, 2026. The same period in 2025 reflected $70.1 million in purchases of U.S. treasury bills offset by $25.7 million in redemptions.

Financing activities

Cash flows from financing activities were negligible for the periods ended March 31, 2026 and 2025.

Operating and Capital Expenditure Requirements

We have not achieved profitability on an annual basis since our inception, and we expect to incur net losses in the future. We expect to continue to incur expenses in connection with our ongoing research and development activities related to our product candidates, including outsourced manufacturing activities and other associated costs. We also expect to continue to incur costs associated with operating as a domestic filer listed on Nasdaq.

Additionally, as a public company, we incur significant additional audit, legal and other expenses. We believe that our existing capital resources will be sufficient to fund our operations, including currently anticipated research and development activities and planned capital spending, at least for the next twelve months.

22


 

Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including but not limited to:

the scope, rate of progress and cost of our clinical trials, preclinical programs and other related activities;
the extent of success in our early preclinical and clinical-stage research programs, which will determine the amount of funding required to further the development of our product candidates;
the cost of manufacturing clinical supplies and establishing commercial supplies of our product candidates and any products that we may develop;
the costs involved in filing and prosecuting patent applications and enforcing and defending potential patent claims;
the outcome, timing and cost of regulatory approvals of our product candidates;
the cost and timing of establishing sales, marketing and distribution capabilities; and
the costs of hiring additional skilled employees to support our growth and the related costs of leasing additional office space.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table summarizes our contractual commitments and obligations as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025.

 

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

 

$000s

 

 

$000s

 

Lease liability - Non-current

 

 

43

 

 

 

71

 

Lease liability - Current

 

 

93

 

 

 

89

 

Total lease liability

 

 

136

 

 

 

160

 

 

The lease liability recognized on the balance sheet comprises our London office. Our balance sheet also reflects two short-term leases in Berlin, Germany and a lease in New Jersey, United States, neither of which is included in the "lease liability" line of the table above. Both leases in Berlin are on a rolling contract basis with either party being able to end the lease with a cancellation notice period of 11.5 months, while the leases in the United States are on a rolling contract basis with a notice period of three months, thus allowing the exemption for short-term leases.

At March 31, 2026, we had a gross commitment on our office rental in Berlin, Germany and in the United States equal to an aggregate of $0.6 million in the next year. No amounts are payable after more than one year.

We have agreed to make payments to CROs and manufacturers under various CRO and manufacturing agreements that generally provide for our ability to terminate on short notice. We have not included any such contingent payment obligations in the table above as the amount, timing and likelihood of such payments are not fixed or determinable.

Critical Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, costs and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our financial statements. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events and various other factors that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Management evaluates estimates and assumptions on a periodic basis. Our actual results may differ from these estimates.

23


 

While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we believe the following accounting policies to be most critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition under Collaboration Agreements

During the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, our revenue from collaboration agreements was derived from the AstraZeneca collaboration.

We have out-licensed the rights to some of our intellectual property associated with our siRNA stabilization chemistry technology to AstraZeneca in the context of a Research Collaboration, Option and License Agreement dated March 24, 2020, under which we and AstraZeneca will collaborate to discover, develop and commercialize siRNA therapeutics for the treatment of cardiovascular, renal, metabolic and respiratory diseases. AstraZeneca made an upfront cash payment of $60.0 million, of which $20.0 million was paid in May 2020 and the remaining $40.0 million was paid in May 2021. The upfront payment has been allocated evenly between the ten targets on the basis of a benchmarking exercise that took into account the standalone selling price per target, of similar precedent transactions that had been publicly announced by comparable companies. Subsequent milestones are allocated to the target to which they are related. The upfront and milestone payments will be recognized as revenue as the services are provided. We anticipate initiating work on up to five targets in the early stages of the collaboration, with AstraZeneca having the option to extend the collaboration to a further five targets. Under the collaboration, utilizing our technology, we are responsible for designing siRNA molecules against gene targets selected by AstraZeneca, and for manufacturing of material to support GLP toxicology studies and phase 1 clinical trials. We and AstraZeneca will collaborate during the discovery phase, and AstraZeneca will lead clinical development and commercialization of molecules arising from the collaboration. For each target selected under the collaboration, we will be eligible to receive up to $140.0 million in milestone payments upon the achievement of milestones relating to the initiation of specified clinical trials, the acceptance of specified regulatory filings and the first commercial sale in specified jurisdictions. AstraZeneca has the right to terminate the agreement in its entirety or on a target-by-target basis, for any reason upon specified prior written notice to us. We may terminate the agreement on a target-by-target basis in the event that AstraZeneca begins a legal or administrative proceeding challenging the patentability, validity, ownership or enforceability of our patents. Either party may terminate the agreement on a target-by-target basis upon a material breach by the other party that is not cured within a specified period after receiving written notice, or in its entirety upon giving written notice following the other party’s bankruptcy, insolvency or similar instance. The license of the intellectual property and the R&D services are not distinct, as AstraZeneca cannot benefit from the intellectual property absent the R&D services, as those R&D services are used to discover and develop a drug candidate and to enhance the value in the underlying intellectual property, which could not be performed by another party, indicating that the two are highly interrelated. On this basis, we have concluded that there is a single performance obligation covering both the R&D services and the license of the intellectual property in respect of each target (i.e., one for the initial target and one for each additional optioned complement-mediated disease target). We recognize revenue over the duration of the contract based on an input method based on percentage of cost incurred.

For all the collaboration agreements listed above, as there is only a single performance obligation per target, the revenue for each element of consideration will be recognized over the contract period based on a cost-to-cost method, which is considered to be the best available measure of our effort during the contract period. The total cost estimate for the contract includes costs expected to be incurred during the contract period. Other variable elements of consideration will only begin to be recognized when it is considered highly probable that a significant reversal of the amounts will not occur.

For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we determined actual costs and forecast costs for the remainder of the contract. We calculated total contract costs across the contract term, including costs that will be reimbursed to us, and costs incurred to date as a percentage of total contract costs. We multiplied this percentage by the consideration deemed highly probable of not having a significant reversal, calculating the cumulative revenue to be recognized. When variable consideration increases due to a further milestone becoming highly probable that a significant reversal of revenue will not occur, a catch-up in revenue is recorded to reflect efforts already expended by us up to that point. In the three months ended March 31, 2026, the estimated forecasted cost for partnered programs was not material and the related judgment was not significant.

24


 

Recognition of Clinical Trial Expenses

As part of the process of preparing our condensed consolidated financial statements, we may be required to estimate accrued expenses related to our preclinical studies and clinical trials. To obtain reasonable estimates, we review open contracts and purchase orders. In addition, we communicate with applicable personnel in order to identify services that have been performed, but for which we have not yet been invoiced. In most cases, our vendors provide us with monthly invoices in arrears for services performed. We confirm our estimates with these vendors and make adjustments as needed. Examples of our accrued expenses include fees paid to CROs for services performed on preclinical studies and clinical trials and fees paid for professional services.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

We discuss the effect of recently issued and adopted pronouncements in Note 2.6, "Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements" to the condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Note 2.20, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are a smaller reporting company as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. As a result, pursuant to Item 305(e) of Regulation S-K, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item 3.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Interim Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our management, with the participation of our Interim Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of March 31, 2026. Based on such evaluation, our Interim Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2026, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2026, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

25


 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

We are not party to any material legal proceedings at this time. From time to time, we may become involved in various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Our business has significant risks. In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the risks described in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or SEC, on March 5, 2026. These are not the only risks facing our business. Other risks and uncertainties that we are not currently aware of or that we currently consider immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and future results. Risks we have identified but currently consider immaterial could still also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and future results of operations if our assumptions about those risks are incorrect or if circumstances change.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) adopted or terminated any “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as those terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.

26


 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

 

 

 

 

Incorporation by Reference

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

 

Schedule/

Form

 

File Number

 

Exhibit

 

Filing Date

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Articles of Association

 

10-Q

 

001-39487

 

3.1

 

August 7, 2025

31.1*

 

Certification by the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.2*

 

Certification by the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.1**

 

Certification by the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101.INS*

 

Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101.SCH*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema with
Embedded Linkbase Documents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

104*

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Filed herewith.

** This certification is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

27


 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

SILENCE THERAPEUTICS PLC

 

 

 

 

Date:

May 7, 2026

By:

/s/ Iain Ross

 

 

 

Name

Iain Ross

 

 

 

Title:

Interim Principal Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

May 7, 2026

By:

/s/ Rhonda Hellums

 

 

 

Name

Rhonda Hellums

 

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

28


FAQ

How did Silence Therapeutics (SLN) perform financially in Q1 2026?

Silence Therapeutics reported a net loss of $14.96 million for Q1 2026, improving from a $28.53 million loss a year earlier. Revenue from its AstraZeneca research collaboration increased to $0.42 million, while research and development expenses declined to $9.12 million.

What is Silence Therapeutics’ cash position and runway after Q1 2026?

As of March 31, 2026, Silence Therapeutics held $70.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Management believes this will fund forecast operating expenses and capital expenditures into 2028, although additional capital will be needed for later-stage clinical development activities.

What happened to the SLN312 collaboration between Silence Therapeutics (SLN) and AstraZeneca?

On March 4, 2026, AstraZeneca informed Silence it will not pursue SLN312 development beyond Phase 1. Silence will regain full global development, manufacturing and commercialization rights to this ANGPTL3-targeting siRNA and is evaluating plans for further clinical development independently.

What are the key clinical programs in Silence Therapeutics’ (SLN) pipeline?

Lead programs include divesiran (SLN124) in a fully enrolled Phase 2 SANRECO trial for polycythemia vera, with topline data expected in Q3 2026, and zerlasiran (SLN360), a Phase 3‑ready siRNA for high Lp(a) cardiovascular risk, for which the company is seeking a development partner.

How did research and development spending change for Silence Therapeutics (SLN) in Q1 2026?

Research and development costs fell to $9.12 million in Q1 2026 from $20.81 million a year earlier. The decrease primarily reflects lower contracted development spending after completing zerlasiran Phase 3 readiness activities and reduced personnel costs from lower headcount.

What is the status of Silence Therapeutics’ R&D tax credits and accumulated losses?

The company recognized $0.69 million of R&D tax credit benefit in Q1 2026 and held an R&D benefit receivable of $22.2 million. Accumulated losses reached $577.5 million as of March 31, 2026, with significant tax loss carryforwards in the U.K. and Germany.