STAT-6 siRNA Demonstrates Efficacy in Immunology

19 September 2024

Roquefort Therapeutics plc

("Roquefort Therapeutics" or the "Company")

STAT-6 siRNA Demonstrates Efficacy in Immunology

Roquefort Therapeutics (LSE:ROQ), the Main Market listed biotech company focused on developing first in class medicines in the high value and high growth immunology and oncology markets, is pleased to announce that its STAT-6 siRNA has demonstrated efficacy in a validated in vitro experimental model of immunological disease.

STAT-6 siRNA Immunology / Oncology Medicine

siRNA therapeutics are an innovative new class of medicines based on RNA interference (RNAi), whereby a gene is downregulated by disrupting its messaging machinery, which was recognized with the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Roquefort Therapeutics' siRNA programs target STAT-6. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) proteins are both signalling proteins and transcription factors that play a role in cell growth, differentiation and function. STAT-6 is a key nodal transcription factor that selectively mediates downstream signalling of IL-4 and IL-13, dominant and central cytokines in the pathophysiology of Type 2 inflammatory diseases[1].

As previously announced, Roquefort Therapeutics' siRNA programs have demonstrated in vivo efficacy in oncology. This new set of experiments investigated the use of the siRNA in the STAT-6 inflammation and immunology ("I&I") field validated by Sanofi and Recludix Pharma in 2023¹. In these preliminary experiments, the Company's siRNA demonstrated a significant reduction in the levels of STAT-6 produced compared to multiple controls at multiple time points. On completion of this experimental protocol, more of the methodology and results will be disclosed in a scientific publication at a recognised international conference and / or peer reviewed journal.

Pre-Clinical Development

Following the Company's acquisition of Oncogeni Ltd in September 2022 in which Roquefort Therapeutics acquired a portfolio of pre-clinical STAT-6 siRNA anti-cancer medicines, the Company developed four additional siRNA sequences to complement this portfolio. The portfolio of siRNA medicines all target STAT-6 and its SH2 (Src-homology-2) domain.

The Company is developing the siRNA in both the oncology and I&I fields in which STAT-6 is a relevant target. Today's announcement reports the Company's first results from the ongoing program of development in the I&I field following discussions and advice from potential Big Pharma partners.

Roquefort Therapeutics is actively pursuing an out-licensing deal with Big Pharma for its STAT-6 siRNA program. The Company believes that these positive I&I results, combined with the Company's existing positive oncology results, strengthen the attractiveness of the siRNA programs to potential Big Pharma partners.  The Company will update the market as the out-licensing process progresses.

Roquefort Therapeutics CEO Ajan Reginald commented:

"Today's siRNA results are the Company's first in I&I and complement the strong in vivo efficacy results already demonstrated in oncology. The STAT-6 siRNA and MK cell therapy programs have both demonstrated significant potential in the attractive inflammation and immunology (I&I) field. The development of these programs in the I&I field is based on the direct feedback from potential Big Pharma partners. The STAT-6 field is particularly attractive because of the recent validation by Sanofi and Recludix and our relatively strong competitive position with completed in vivo efficacy experiments. 

Our strategy remains to complete meaningful partnerships with one or more Big Pharma companies to validate the business model and to reset the market's perception of the attractiveness of the Company. The ongoing transaction with PDC and these siRNA results are key steps in this process, on which we expect to update the market with further milestones in 2024."  

ENDS

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About Roquefort Therapeutics

Roquefort Therapeutics (LSE:ROQ) is a Main Market listed biotech company developing first in class drugs in the high value and high growth immuno-oncology segment prior to partnering or selling to big pharma.

Roquefort Therapeutics' portfolio consists of five novel patent-protected pre-clinical anti-cancer medicines.  The highly complementary profile of five best-in-class medicines consists of:

·    Midkine antibodies with significant in vivo efficacy and toxicology studies;

·    Midkine RNA therapeutics with novel anti-cancer gene editing action;

·    Midkine mRNA therapeutics with novel anti-cancer approach;

·    STAT-6 siRNA therapeutics targeting solid tumours with significant in vivo efficacy; and

·    MK cell therapy with direct and NK cell-mediated anti-cancer action

For further information on Roquefort Therapeutics, please visit www.roquefortplc.com and @RoquefortTherap on X (formerly Twitter).