Change of Auditor and Notice of Interim Results

Silence Therapeutics

("Silence" or the "Company")

Change of Auditor and Notice of Interim Results

London, August 18 2010 - Silence Therapeutics Plc (AIM: SLN), a leading international RNAi therapeutics company, is pleased to announce that, following a competitive tender process for the selection of an audit firm, the Company has appointed KPMG Audit Plc to act as Auditor. Accordingly, they will conduct the review of the Group's results for the six month period ended 30 June 2010. The Company's interim results will be announced on the 20 September 2010.

A copy of the resignation letter received from Grant Thornton UK LLP has been filed with the Registrar of Companies and will be available on the Company's website (silence-therapeutics.com).

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About Silence Therapeutics plc (www.silence-therapeutics.com)

Silence Therapeutics plc (AIM: SLN) is a leading global biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery, development and delivery of targeted, systemic RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics for the treatment of serious diseases. The company possesses multiple proprietary short interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery technology platforms including AtuPLEX™, a system that enables the functional delivery of siRNA molecules to targeted diseased tissues and cells, while increasing their bioavailability and intracellular uptake. A second, complementary delivery technology known as PolyTran™ uses a library of novel peptide-based biodegradable polycationic polymers for systemic siRNA administration. Additionally, the company has a platform of novel siRNA molecules, AtuRNAi, which provide a number of advantages over conventional siRNA molecules, including increased stability against nuclease degradation. Silence's unique RNAi assets also include structural features for a next generation of RNAi molecules and additional proprietary siRNA sequences against more than 50 highly valued oncology and other disease targets.

The company's strong and diverse intellectual property portfolio includes exclusive licenses from the University of Massachusetts Medical School on three patent families associated with the Zamore "Design Rules," which cover broad structural features of siRNA design for more potent next generation siRNA sequences.

Silence Therapeutics is headquartered in London, UK, with research and development activities in Berlin and operations in Redwood City, CA.