Silence Therapeutics plc Leases Disclosure
16. Leases
The Group has one operating lease for office space in London, which was moved to a new location upon completion of the original lease term, with the new lease beginning in September 2025. The Group determines whether a contract is a lease or contains a lease at inception date. Upon commencement, the Group recognizes a right-of-use asset and lease liability. Right-of-use assets represent the Group’s right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. Lease liabilities are the Group’s obligation to make the lease payments arising from a lease. As the Group’s lease does not provide an implicit rate, the Group’s lease liabilities are measured on a discounted basis using the Group’s incremental borrowing rate. Lease terms used in the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities include only options to extend the lease that are reasonably certain to be exercised. Additionally, lease terms underlying the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities consider terminations that are reasonably certain to be executed.
There are two short-term leases in Berlin, Germany and six leases in Hoboken, U.S., that have not been recognized as right-of-use assets. Both leases in Berlin are on a rolling contract basis with either party being able to end the lease with a cancellation notice period of 11.5 months, while the leases in the United States are on a rolling contract basis with a notice period of 3 months. Expense related to these short-term leases are recorded to the consolidated statements of income (loss) over the lease term.
The following table presents supplemental balance sheet information related to the Group’s operating lease:
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Year ended December 31, |
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2025 |
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2024 |
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Classification |
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$000s |
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$000s |
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Operating lease right-of-use asset |
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Other non-current assets |
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167 |
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157 |
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Lease liability - current |
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Current liabilities |
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89 |
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117 |
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Lease liability - non-current |
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Non-current liabilities |
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71 |
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- |
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The following table summarizes the weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate for the Group’s operating leases at December 31, 2025 and 2024:
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2025 |
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2024 |
Weighted-average remaining lease term |
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1.75 years |
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0.75 years |
Weighted-average discount rate |
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10.5% |
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7.0% |
The following table summarizes the components of total operating lease cost for fiscal year 2025 and 2024:
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Year ended December 31, |
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2025 |
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2024 |
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$000s |
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$000s |
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Operating lease cost |
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197 |
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248 |
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Short-term lease cost |
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721 |
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736 |
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Total operating lease cost |
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918 |
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984 |
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The following table summarizes the maturities of the Group’s operating leases at December 31, 2025:
Fiscal year |
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Operating Leases |
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2026 |
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89 |
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2027 |
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71 |
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2028 |
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- |
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2029 |
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- |
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2030 |
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- |
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Thereafter |
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- |
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Total expected lease payments |
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160 |
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Less: Imputed interest |
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- |
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Total lease liability |
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160 |
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Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 5, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Feb 27, 2025 | |
About Leases Disclosures
Lease disclosures under ASC 842 provide a comprehensive view of a company's leased asset portfolio, including the split between operating and finance leases, discount rates used to present-value future payments, and the maturity schedule of lease obligations. This section reveals a significant source of off-balance-sheet commitments that were largely hidden before the current standard.
Key signals: the weighted-average discount rate affects the size of recorded lease liabilities — a higher rate reduces the reported obligation, so compare the chosen rate against the company's incremental borrowing rate. The operating versus finance lease mix affects both EBITDA and operating income presentation. Watch the maturity table for concentration risk: large payment cliffs in specific years may create cash flow pressure. Variable lease payments excluded from the liability measurement represent real obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet. Compare total lease costs against prior-year operating lease expense to assess the true economic burden.