STAT+: Silence Therapeutics aims at Takeda with new data in rare blood cancer

An experimental medicine from Silence Therapeutics stabilized red blood cell levels in patients with a rare blood cancer in a new trial — a result that could position it to compete with a drug nearing approval from Takeda Pharmaceuticals. The cancer, polycythemia vera, is marked by runaway production of red blood cells and puts patients at risk of life-threatening blood clots, bleeds, and other cancers. In the 48-person, Phase 2 trial, 88% of patients who received Silence’s drug, called divesiran, every six weeks or 12 weeks achieved a clinical response, the company said Monday. By contrast, only 19% of patients on placebo did. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe