N4 Pharma PLC (AIM:N4P) surged after announcing its Nuvec delivery system had successfully targeted non-small cell lung cancer cells in collaboration with US research institute SRI.
The study marks a significant milestone in the development of precision RNA therapies, a field seeking to improve cancer treatment by delivering genetic material directly into diseased cells.
The partnership demonstrated that Nuvec particles could be functionalised with a targeting molecule binding to αvβ6, a protein highly expressed in cancers such as lung, breast, prostate and pancreatic.
This enabled RNA payloads to be delivered selectively into cancer cells, with little activity in untargeted cells, showing the potential for more effective and less toxic therapies.
The findings not only validate Nuvec as a versatile RNA delivery system but also expand its possible use across multiple high-need cancers.
The company highlighted the significance of overcoming challenges in RNA drug delivery, a barrier that continues to constrain the sector despite its rapid growth.
Alongside oncology, N4 Pharma is also progressing its lead programme, N4 101, which uses a modified Nuvec® platform to target immune cells in inflammatory bowel disease.
Together, the results position Nuvec as a differentiated tool for next-generation RNA therapies.
The stock rose 0.42p to 0.92p.