REHOVOT, Israel, May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosetta Genomics, a leading biotechnology company focused on the development of microRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics, today announced that Amir Avniel has been named president and chief executive officer of the company. Mr. Avniel joined Rosetta in 2000 and was formerly president, chief technology officer and chief operating officer at the company.
“Amir has been with Rosetta Genomics from the very beginning,” said Dr. Isaac Bentwich, Rosetta Genomics’ founder and chief architect. “He is a recognized expert in microRNA, and has the ideal experience and insight necessary to build our business successfully in the years ahead.”
The Rosetta Genomics board of directors also today announced that Mr. Yoav Z. Chelouche has been elected to serve as the new chairman of the board at the company. Mr. Chelouche, who has been a member of the Rosetta Genomics board of directors since 2001, has more than 20 years of experience in leadership and management within the high technology sector. He is also currently a managing partner at Aviv Venture Capital and he previously served as president and chief executive officer of Scitex Corporation, which he led to become one of Israel’s leading high technology companies.
“MicroRNAs represent a revolution positioned to transform the world of medicine as we know it. I am honored to be chosen as chairman of the board of directors of the leading company working in this field today,” said Mr. Chelouche.
Rosetta Genomics also announced today that Nathan Hod has joined the company’s board of directors. Mr. Hod is considered one of Israel’s top industry figures, and has co-founded the high technology company DSPC Inc., manufacturer of chip-sets for the wireless industry. The company was acquired by Intel Inc. in 1999 for $1.6B.
About microRNA (miRNA)
MiRNA molecules are a recently discovered class of small RNA molecules that occur naturally within all mammalian cells and that play a critical role in a range of cell functions in humans, animals and plants. There are at least 650 confirmed microRNA genes in the human genome and researchers conclude that many others remain yet to be identified. MicroRNAs are believed to regulate at least one-third of genes in the human genome and are also likely to play significant roles in the manifestation of many serious disease states, including cancer and certain metabolic and infectious diseases.
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 nearly 360 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 diagnostics and therapeutic products based on microRNAs. The company’s primary therapeutic focus is in the development of microRNA-based products to diagnose and treat different forms of cancer. For more information about Rosetta Genomics, please visit http://www.rosettagenomics.com
Source: Rosetta Genomics
