On January 16, 2025 Silexion Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SLXN), a clinical-stage biotech advancing RNA interference (RNAi) therapies for KRAS-driven cancers, reported compelling new preclinical data for SIL-204, its next-generation siRNA candidate (Press release, Silexion Therapeutics, JAN 16, 2025, View Source [SID1234649764]). These findings reaffirm the company’s innovative approach to addressing some of the most challenging cancers, including pancreatic cancer, which is marked by KRAS mutations in over 90% of cases.

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The newly released data reveal significant synergy between SIL-204 and first-line chemotherapy agents, including 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and gemcitabine. In human pancreatic tumor cell models harboring KRAS G12D mutations, SIL-204 amplified the efficacy of these standard therapies, resulting in greater reductions in cancer cell confluence compared to chemotherapy alone. This underscores SIL-204’s potential to enhance treatment regimens for pancreatic cancer and other KRAS-driven cancers, potentially addressing a substantial unmet medical need.

Building on the success of its first-generation LODER platform, which improved overall survival in Phase 2 trials, SIL-204 takes Silexion’s RNAi approach further by targeting a broader spectrum of KRAS mutations. With toxicology studies set to begin soon and Phase 2/3 trials planned for 2026, Silexion remains on track to advance its groundbreaking candidate into the clinic.

Shortly releasing this new data, Silexion also announced the pricing of a $5 million public offering to support its preclinical and clinical efforts. While this may introduce near-term dilution, if the offering is to close, the additional capital seems to bolster the company’s ability to drive innovation and achieve key clinical milestones as it moves forward.

As KRAS-driven cancers continue to be among the most aggressive and elusive to treat, Silexion’s progress with SIL-204 positions it as an important innovator to watch in the precision oncology space, offering hope for transformative therapies that could redefine cancer care.