Following detailed additional analysis, the resulting data are now shaping a new scope of work focused on utilising Nuvec for targeted treatments in oncology.
In the near future, treatments for common cancers may be delivered as simple oral tablets with far fewer side-effects than chemotherapy.
The global RNA therapeutics market was valued at $13.7bn in 2023 and is forecast to reach $18.0bn by 2028.
Challenges associated with the manufacturing and targeted delivery of RNA therapeutics are known to impact this market growth.
Targeting RNA therapies to specific cells and tissues to maximise efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity is a holy grail for nucleic acid therapeutics developers and is challenging to achieve with established RNA delivery methods.
The company's collaboration combined SRI's targeting molecules with Nuvec to successfully deliver therapeutic RNA (siRNA) payloads to non-small cell lung cancer cells. Key results include the following:
- precision targeting achieved: Nuvec particles were functionalised with a targeting molecule binding to a cell surface adhesion molecule (αvβ6) — a protein found at high levels in epithelial cancers such as lung, breast, prostate and pancreatic adenocarcinomas
- selective uptake confirmed: siRNA payloads were successfully delivered and active only by the targeted Nuvec particles compared with untargeted particles, demonstrating that Nuvec can be directed to specific cell types
- broader validation of Nuvec: the findings strengthen the platform's potential as a differentiated delivery system for RNA therapeutics across multiple disease areas, including cancers with high unmet need (such as lung and pancreatic).
Nigel Theobold, Chief Executive Officer of N4 Pharma, commented: "Targeting RNA therapies to particular cell types is highly sought after by companies developing RNA therapeutics. We have now demonstrated Nuvec's ability to do this in multiple systems, which we believe sets it apart from other RNA delivery methods.”
"These recent data from our collaboration with SRI are particularly exciting because they represent the first example of the use of Nuvec for the potential treatment of some of the most common and life-threatening cancers.”