N4 Pharma PLC - N4 Pharma’s Nuvec® Targets Lung Cancer Cells
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Released
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RNS Number : 0555A
N4 Pharma PLC
22 September 2025
22 September 2025
N4 Pharma plc
("N4 Pharma" or the "Company")
N4 Pharma's Nuvec® Targets Lung Cancer Cells
Proof of targeted RNA delivery to non-small cell lung cancer cells achieved with SRI
N4 Pharma plc (AIM: N4P), the UK biotech developing Nuvec®, its proprietary gene delivery system to enable
advanced therapies for cancer and other diseases, is pleased to announce further details of its collaboration with
world-renowned nonprofit R&D institute SRI on the targeted delivery of RNA into cells using Nuvec®. Following
detailed additional analysis, the resulting data are now shaping a new scope of work focused on
utilising Nuvec® for targeted treatments in oncology.
The Company's collaboration combined SRI's targeting molecules with Nuvec® successfully delivering
therapeutic RNA ("siRNA") payloads to specific cell types, specifically non-small cell lung cancer cells.
Key results:
· 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 to untargeted Nuvec®, 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 of high unmet need such as lung
and pancreatic cancers
The global RNA therapeutics market was valued at $13.7 billion in 2023 and is forecast to reach $18.0 billion 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.
In parallel to the successful targeting of Nuvec® particles to cancer cells in collaboration with SRI, N4 Pharma has
also demonstrated targeting of Nuvec® to immune cells using mannose modification in its lead programme, N4
101, which is designed to be an orally delivered treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.
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.
"N4 Pharma raised capital earlier this year to build out the data to support the key performance claims of Nuvec®:
simultaneous delivery of multiple RNAs; targeting of specific cell types; oral delivery; low immunogenicity;
stability; and simple manufacturing. These data generated with SRI are a significant step forward in that process,
because of the high demand for targeted therapies to support deal-making and building our own differentiated
RNA therapeutics pipeline."
- Ends For more information please contact:
N4 Pharma plc
Nigel Theobald, CEO
Luke Cairns, Executive Director
Via N4 Pharma Investor Hub:
investors.n4pharma.com
Submit your questions directly to the management team via
the N4 Pharma Investor Hub
https://n4pharma.com/link/P2z1YP
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP
Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker
Matthew Johnson/Jen Clarke (Corporate Finance)
Vadim Alexandre/Abigail Wayne/Rob Rees (Corporate
Broking)
Tel: +44 (0)20 3470 0470
Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Limited
Joint Broker
Andy Thacker
James Pope
Tel: +44 (0)20 3657 0050
Northstar Communications Limited
Investor Relations
Sarah Hollins
Tel: +44 (0)113 730 3896
About N4 Pharma
N4 Pharma is a pre-clinical biotech company developing Nuvec®, its proprietary gene delivery system, to enable
advanced therapies for cancer and other diseases.
RNA therapeutics are set to impact the treatment of a wide range of diseases and Nuvec® has several key
advantages for RNA gene delivery including the ability to deliver multiple RNA therapies in a single particle, ease
of manufacturing, protection of the RNA payload to allow for oral delivery, no unwanted immune response and
excellent stability and storage.
N4 Pharma is building out its preclinical data set and working towards first-in-human clinical data to support
significant licensing deals for its Nuvec® platform with gene therapy partners.
N4 Pharma's lead programme, N4 101, is an oral anti-inflammatory product for IBD which serves as a proof-ofconcept programme showcasing all the benefits of the Nuvec® platform.
For
further
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Company
visit
www.n4pharma.com
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About SRI
For further information on SRI visit: https://www.sri.com/
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