Silence Therapeutics appoints Chief Medical Officer, shares rise

Silence Therapeutics has unveiled Michael Khan as the company's new Chief Medical Officer.

He will oversee the phase II study on ATU027 for cancer and aid in the expansion of the private biotechnology company's clinical pipelines in oncology and acute lung injury.

Khan is a consultant endocrinologist at University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire. He is also an associate professor of medicine at the University of Warwick.

Last September he became a director and chief medical adviser at Silence Therapeutics, which develops systematic RNA interference therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

"These are very exciting times for Silence Therapeutics, with one oncology drug advancing to phase II," he said in a statement.

"Moreover, with a range of new indications in the pipeline, I am really happy to be a part of this dynamic new enterprise."

Ali Mortazavi, director of Corporate Strategy, added: "I'm delighted Mike has decided to devote more time to us. Next year will be pivotal for Silence after so many years spent preparing for phase II trials."

Shares jumped 9.71% to 4.80p at 12:39 Wednesday.

RD