Silence Therapeutics plc announced that President, Chief Executive Officer and Board member Craig Tooman will step down, effective December 14 2025. The company’s Chairman, Iain Ross, will assume the role of interim CEO, ensuring continuity as the board searches for a permanent successor.
The company’s financial profile underscores the strategic context of the transition. Silence holds a robust cash balance that exceeds its debt, but a high burn rate has prompted a pause in the Phase 3 cardiovascular outcomes trial for zerlasiran until a partner is secured. The decision extends the company’s cash runway into 2027 and reflects a deliberate shift toward rare‑disease programs, such as divesiran for polycythemia vera, where the company expects full enrollment of its Phase 2 study by year‑end 2025.
Management comments highlight the rationale behind the leadership change and the company’s strategic focus. Ross said the company remains in “robust health both financially and operationally” and will continue to advance its pipeline. Tooman, in a prior update, emphasized that the firm is prioritizing rare‑disease assets and will only launch the zerlasiran Phase 3 study once a partnership is secured, underscoring the importance of external collaboration for late‑stage development.
The transition signals a continued emphasis on partnership‑driven growth and a clear prioritization of rare‑disease programs, while maintaining confidence in the company’s financial footing and operational execution.
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