N4 Pharma shares jump on latest Nuvec developments

The AIM-traded firm reported promising results from in vitro experiments involving the combination of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) siRNA molecules onto Nuvec nanoparticles, specifically tested in PC9 lung cancer cells.

It said the findings showed a notable enhancement in cellular inhibition at the 48-hour mark compared to single-dose siRNA treatments, with the synergistic effect of EGFR and PLK1 combination proving particularly impactful.

Notably, when cells were treated with a single dose of 75 nanomolars (nm) of EGFR siRNA, cell viability dropped to 38%, while the same dose of PLK1 siRNA resulted in a viability of 33%.

However, when EGFR and PLK1 were combined at the same dosage, cell viability fell to 19%.

Moreover, the research indicated that the cellular inhibition effect intensified over time, peaking at 48 hours, and correlated with the quantity of siRNA administered.

Consistency in the observed effects was maintained across multiple repetitions of the experiments.

Building on the promising outcomes, N4 Pharma said it planned to further expand its research scope.

That included investigating the knockdown of EGFR alongside bromodomain-containing-protein 4 (BRD4) and extending the analysis of EGFR/PLK1 combination data to a different cell line.

“The work we are doing on multiple loading of siRNA onto one nanoparticle is extremely encouraging and is showcasing the versatility of our Nuvec delivery system,” said chief executive officer Nigel Theobald.

“This ability to be able to knockdown two independent pathways leading to a positive added impact is an innovative approach in developing novel cancer treatments aimed at reducing the ability for tumour escape.

“We will continue to present this data to potential licensing partners as all this work strengthens the potential for collaboration opportunities.”

At 1021 GMT, shares in N4 Pharma were up 11.2% at 0.83p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.