N4 Pharma PLC announced that its Nuvec gene delivery system has successfully demonstrated targeted delivery of RNA to lung cancer cells in collaboration with US research institute SRI International. The breakthrough sent shares surging 47% to 0.73 pence in London trading.
The Derbyshire-based pharmaceutical company focused on nanoparticle technology reported that Nuvec particles, combined with SRI's targeting molecules, delivered therapeutic RNA payloads specifically to non-small cell lung cancer cells.
Precision Targeting Through Protein Binding
Precision targeting was achieved by functionalising Nuvec with a molecule that binds to αvβ6, a protein which is highly expressed in epithelial cancers such as lung, breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers. This functionalisation enabled RNA payloads to be delivered specifically into cancer cells, with minimal activity in untargeted cells.
The targeted Nuvec particles confirmed selective uptake, with RNA payloads delivered only by functionalised particles. This selectivity addresses a major challenge in oncology by potentially enabling more effective treatments with fewer toxic side effects.
Validation of Differentiated Delivery Platform
The results validate Nuvec as a differentiated delivery system for RNA therapies, with applications across cancers of high unmet need. Chief Executive Officer Nigel Theobold commented: "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."
Expanding Applications Beyond Oncology
N4 Pharma has also demonstrated that Nuvec can target immune cells through mannose modification in its N4 101 programme, which is designed as an orally delivered therapy for inflammatory bowel disease. This versatility positions the Nuvec platform as a tool for next-generation RNA therapies across both cancer and immune-related diseases.
The breakthrough overcomes one of the biggest barriers in RNA drug delivery by enabling precise targeting of diseased cells while minimizing effects on healthy tissue, potentially revolutionizing the delivery of genetic therapies.
