REG - Roquefort Theraptcs. - STAT-6 siRNA Demonstrates Efficacy in Immunology

Roquefort TherapeuticsAnnouncement

19/09/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 7436E  Roquefort Therapeutics PLC  19 September 2024

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 
(#_ftn1) .

 

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 2023(1). 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

Enquiries:
 Roquefort Therapeutics plc                      +44 (0)20 3918 8633
 Stephen West (Chairman) / Ajan Reginald (CEO)
 SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Broker)         +44 (0) 20 3470 0470

 David Hignell / Vadim Alexandre / Devik Mehta
 Buchanan (Public Relations)                     +44 (0)20 7466 5000

 Ben Romney / Jamie Hooper / George Beale
 Peak IR (Investor Relations)                    +33 (0)7 44 44 15 42

 Seb Wykeham

 

LEI: ‎254900P4SISIWOR9RH34

 

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 (http://www.roquefortplc.com/)
 and @RoquefortTherap on X (formerly Twitter).

 

 1  (#_ftnref1)
https://recludixpharma.com/recludix-pharma-enters-into-a-strategic-collaboration-with-sanofi-to-advance-novel-oral-stat6-inhibitor-in-multiple-immunological-and-inflammatory-indications/

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