Rosetta Genomics Ltd. And Max Planck Society Enter Microrna Licensing Agreement
NORTH BRUNSWICK, New Jersey, July 27 /PRNewswire/ --
- Deal Gives Rosetta Genomics Access to Potentially Hundreds of Human Proprietary Microrna Sequences With Possible Applications in the Development of a Wide Range of Diagnostic Tools For a Variety of Diseases
Rosetta Genomics today announced that it has secured the rights to patents covering potentially hundreds of human microRNA sequences in diagnostic applications, through a co-exclusive license agreement. The agreement was signed with Garching Innovation, the technology transfer agency of the Max Planck Society, one of the leading scientific research organizations in Europe. This is the second microRNA licensing agreement for Rosetta since May, when the company signed a licensing agreement with Rockefeller University, and is part of a broader strategy to expand the company's product development capabilities. Rosetta Genomics microRNA patent portfolio already covers hundreds of human microRNA sequences.
Rosetta Genomics is a leader in the development of microRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics. The company focus is the rapidly evolving genomic field of microRNA. This agreement is expected to accelerate the company's product development timeline and expand its research capabilities by broadening Rosetta's microRNA portfolio. With this new agreement, Rosetta Genomics is now strategically positioned to target a broad range of product development opportunities in the diagnostics microRNA field.
The licensed microRNAs sequences will be added to Rosetta Genomics microRNA database, providing the company with additional biomarker candidates for its diagnostic development programs. Under the terms of the agreement, Rosetta Genomics will be able to use these microRNAs to advance multiple research and development programs targeting new microRNA-based diagnostic tools for a variety of diseases.
Rosetta Genomics has developed proprietary discovery process that has led to the discovery of hundreds of microRNAs of various species. This agreement positions Rosetta Genomics to pursue research and development based on a large number of microRNAs genes which the company believes exist in the human genome. Under the terms of the agreement, Rosetta Genomics will pay an initiation fee, as well as maintenance fees and royalties.
About microRNAs
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently discovered, naturally occurring small RNAs that act as protein regulators and have the potential to form the basis for a new class of diagnostics and therapeutics. Since many diseases are caused by the abnormal activity of proteins, the ability to selectively regulate protein activity through microRNAs could provide the means to treat a wide range of human diseases. In addition, microRNAs have been shown to have different expression levels in certain diseased versus normal tissues. As a result, these differences potentially provide for a novel diagnostic strategy for many diseases. MicroRNAs are thought to play a key role in the differentiation of cells into specific cell types performing various functions in the body.
About Max Planck Society / Garching Innovation
Founded in 1948 as successor of the Kaiser Wilhelm Society, the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science is an independent, non-profit scientific research organization. Max Planck Society maintains almost 80 research institutes, the majority of which are in Germany. The research institutes focus on natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. The Max Planck Society is particularly active in new and innovative research areas that are outside the scope of German universities. Max Planck Society has produced 16 Nobel laureates since its foundation.
Garching Innovation GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of Max Planck Society, acts as its technology transfer agency. Garching Innovation is responsible for the commercialization of intellectual property created within the research institutes of Max Planck Society by granting licenses to the industry.
For more information, please visit www.mpg.de and www.garching-innovation.de.
About Rosetta Genomics
Rosetta Genomics is a leader in the development of microRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics. Founded in 2000, the company's integrative research platform combining bioinformatics and state-of-the-art laboratory processes has led to the discovery of hundreds of biologically validated novel human microRNAs. Building on its strong IP position and strategic alliances with leading biotechnology companies, Rosetta Genomics is working to develop a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic products based on microRNAs. The company's primary focus is in the development of microRNA-based products to diagnose and treat different forms of cancer and infectious diseases.
For more information, please visit: www.rosettagenomics.com Contact: VP of Marketing & Communications Odelia Goldfarb +972-8-948-4780 odelia_go@RosettaGenomics.com
Rosetta Genomics LtdCONTACT: Contact: VP of Marketing & Communications, Odelia Goldfarb,+972-8-948-4780, odelia_go@RosettaGenomics.com