REG - N4 Pharma PLC - Work Programme Update

N4 PharmaAnnouncement

13/06/2022 07:00

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RNS Number : 5530O  N4 Pharma PLC  13 June 2022

 

13 June 2022

N4 Pharma Plc

("N4 Pharma" or the "Company")

Work Programme Update

N4 Pharma Plc (AIM: N4P), the specialist pharmaceutical company developing
Nuvec®, a novel delivery system for cancer treatments and vaccines, is
pleased to announce an update on its current work programmes.

 

Highlights:

 

·      Medicines Discovery Catapult study shows demonstrable suppression
of tumour growth using a reduced load of TNFalpha with Nuvec®, enhancing data
set from previous successful studies. Further results on the mechanism of
action to follow

 

·      Successful loading of Nuvec® with SiRNA and transfection in
vitro showing clear gene suppression

 

·      Positive preliminary results from ongoing oral studies undertaken
at the University of Queensland ('UQ') showing Nuvec® delivered orally has
transfected cells in the small intestine

 

·      Material Transfer Agreement ("MTA") remains ongoing

 

 

Oncology work

Following the successful oncology studies concluded last year, the Company has
been undertaking an expanded study to better understand the mechanism that
produced the tumour suppression. The Company is pleased that the study showed
clear tumour suppression with 10ug of the TNFalpha loaded onto Nuvec® which
was a lower dose than used in the earlier studies. In this study, the dose
preparation at a higher dose was sub-optimal and data from this dose could not
be obtained. Further work to optimise formulations for in vivo studies
continues.

 

Biochemical analysis of blood and tissue samples is continuing to determine
whether the Nuvec® loaded with TNFalpha was directly taken up by the tumour
cells to produce the active TNF within the tumour or whether other organs such
as the liver took up the Nuvec® and produced the TNF and released it
systemically to suppress the tumour. If it can be demonstrated that Nuvec®
can selectively deliver the plasmid to the tumour this may indicate the
potential use of Nuvec® to deliver to tumours with a reduced systemic effect
and inform the scope of any clinical studies. This analysis remains ongoing
and the results are expected in the next four to six weeks.

 

The posters resulting from the previous oncology studies undertaken by
Nanomerics are due to be presented at the CRS Annual Meeting to be held in
Montreal, Canada, between the 11 and 15 July at which point they will be
published on the Company's website.

 

SiRNA

In addition to evaluating the potential of Nuvec® to carry DNA and mRNA,
experiments have shown that Nuvec® can also be loaded with SiRNA and maintain
a colloidally stable formulation. Experimental work is ongoing to establish
the number of SiRNA strands that can be loaded on Nuvec® and to determine the
minimal functional load. The application of specific SiRNAs in oncology is a
rapidly developing field and this may represent a further extension of the use
of Nuvec®.

Oral Applications for Nuvec®

As announced previously, a longer term study on oral applications is being
carried out at UQ utilising grant funding obtained by N4 Pharma and UQ for
this purpose. Early results are promising with UQ having successfully
demonstrated via an in vivo pre-clinical study that Nuvec® loaded with
McCherry DNA (a commonly used form of labelled DNA to track expression) and
formulated and administered in capsules was able to pass through the lining of
the stomach to successfully transfect the small intestine. Whilst there is a
lot more work to do in this area this is a significant step in establishing
how Nuvec® could be delivered orally.

Nigel Theobald, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented: "We are
very pleased with our recent results across oncology, the potential opening up
of the siRNA market and the early data coming from UQ on their oral work.

 

"We have now demonstrated across 50ug, 20ug and now 10ug of TNF alpha loaded
onto Nuvec® results in tumour suppression in vivo. We now wait with interest
the further data due on this study to better understand how the suppression
has occurred which will help determine the most appropriate use of Nuvec® as
a delivery system to help treat tumours.

 

"Our proof of concept work is extremely encouraging and, again, points towards
multiple applications that Nuvec® could be used for, although it is clear
that precise formulation for use in each area will be critical when advancing
towards a commercial product. Our work with our MTA partner continues and I
look forward to providing an update on the next steps following the final
results of the oncology work."

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to
constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations
(EU) No. 596/2014 which has been incorporated into UK law by the European
Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

Enquiries:

 N4 Pharma Plc                                       Via IFC Advisory

 Nigel Theobald, CEO

 Luke Cairns, Executive Director

 SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP                      Tel: +44 (0)20 3470 0470

 Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker

 Matthew Johnson/Caroline Rowe (Corporate Finance)

 Vadim Alexandre/Rob Rees (Corporate Broking)

 IFC Advisory Limited                                Tel: +44 (0)20 3934 6630

 Financial PR

 Graham Herring

 Zach Cohen

 

 

About N4 Pharma

N4 Pharma is a specialist pharmaceutical company developing a novel delivery
system for cancer and vaccine treatments using its unique silica nanoparticle
delivery system called Nuvec®.

N4 Pharma's business model is to partner with companies developing novel
antigens for cancer and vaccine treatments to use Nuvec® as the delivery
vehicle to get their antigen into cells to express the protein needed for the
required immunity. As these products progress through pre clinical and
clinical programs, N4 Pharma will seek to receive up front payments, milestone
payments and ultimately royalty payments once products reach the market.

 

 

 

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