10:47 AM EDT, 06/27/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Silence Therapeutics ( SLN ) said Thursday that results from an early-stage repeat dose study of its drug divesiran showed a sustained reduction in hematocrit,

eliminating the need for phlebotomy, or the need to withdraw blood in patients with polycythemia vera, a type of blood cancer.

Elevated hematocrit levels are associated with higher death rate from cardiovascular or thrombotic events, according to the company.

Treatment with divesiran also showed target engagement as levels of hepcidin, which regulates iron metabolism, increased and were sustained within physiological levels in all dose groups, the company said.

The company said divesiran has been well-tolerated with no major safety issues to date.

The company is looking forward to advancing development of divesiran with a phase 2 start planned by the end of the year, President and Chief Executive Craig Tooman said.

Price: 19.06, Change: +0.75, Percent Change: +4.10