REHOVOT, BE’ER-SHEVA, Israel and NORTH BRUNSWICK, New Jersey, August 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rosetta Genomics , a leading RNAi company, announced today it has signed a collaboration agreement with Ben Gurion University, through B.G Negev Technologies, focusing on the development of microRNA-based therapeutic applications for several key viruses including the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Herpes Simplex Viruses (HSV). The central role microRNAs and RNAi play in a wide range of cellular processes, as well as the link between their aberrant expression and the onset and progression of various viral diseases, point to microRNAs’ potential as novel drug targets.
A combined research team from Rosetta Genomics and of Ben Gurion University led by Dr. Yonat Shemer, Head of the Clinical Virology Unit at Ben Gurion University, identified several virus-specific microRNAs that, when inhibited, led to a decrease in virus replication in vitro.
“Rosetta Genomics is the first entity to identify microRNAs in viruses, and has discovered and validated a large number of viral microRNAs that can be the basis for novel therapeutics” said Professor Zvi Bentwich, Rosetta Genomics’ Chief Scientist and a world-renowned AIDS researcher. “Because some viruses encode microRNAs, we believe the silencing of a viral microRNA may form the basis for a new class of drugs to treat infectious diseases. We have discovered microRNAs encoded in Epstein-Barr virus and have proven their expression in EBV-infected cell lines. As proof of concept, we have demonstrated in vitro that the inhibition of these EBV microRNAs inhibits viral replication.”
“MicroRNAs are central regulators of gene expression through post-transcriptional control,” said Dr. Shemer. “Using the powerful bioinformatics and biologic tools that have been developed by Rosetta Genomics, we were able to identify and characterize the biologic significance of viral microRNAs during viral infections. Going forward we will conduct research to determine the effects of modulation of expression of these microRNAs at various stages and types of viral infection. We believe the control of microRNA expression or its modulation offers a new potential mode of therapy for several viral species, including EBV and HSV.”
About RNAi and MicroRNAs
RNAi (RNA interference) is the means by which plants, animals and humans regulate protein expression and represents a potentially revolutionary approach to the development of human diagnostics and therapeutics. The discovery of RNAi in 1998 and the subsequent awarding of the Nobel Prize to Drs. Fire and Mello in October 2006, attest to the broad and rapid advancement of our understanding of this key biological process and to statements within the scientific community referring to it as “a major scientific breakthrough that happens once every decade or so.” RNAi is a natural process of gene silencing that is mediated by microRNAs intracellularly. By targeting microRNAs, we believe there is significant potential to create a new class of therapeutics that can both up and down-regulate disease causing proteins. Since microRNAs are naturally produced inhibitors of protein production, a synthetic molecule designed to mimic the activity of a microRNA can potentially cause RNAi to decrease protein production while a microRNA inhibitor may have the potential to prevent RNAi from silencing specific messenger RNA, thereby increasing protein production. This up and down regulation of the RNAi process can potentially prevent disease causing proteins from being produced in too much or too little a quantity. Moreover, microRNAs that regulate disease causing proteins may be used as biomarkers for the disease, potentially enabling the use of the RNAi process to develop early detection diagnostics.
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: http://www.rosettagenomics.com
About Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Created in 1969 with the mandate to bring development to the region, BGU is internationally-recognized for its unique pioneering spirit that combines outstanding academics and research with a commitment to the community. With more than 17,000 students, five Faculties and a number of internationally-acclaimed research institutes, the University has become a world leader in interdisciplinary research in cutting-edge fields that range from desert studies to Hebrew literature, nano and bio-technologies and international medicine: http://www.bgu.ac.il
About B.G. Negev Technologies
B.G. Negev Technologies is the technology transfer company of Ben-Gurion University, responsible for the marketing and commercialization of University inventions and Know-how. Through the development of innovative technologies and creative partnering with industry and investors, BGN brings value for the technological marketplace and for the University and its researchers: http://www.bgn.ac.il
Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
Various statements in this release concerning Rosetta’s future expectations, plans and prospects, including without limitation, statements relating to the role of microRNAs in human physiology and disease and the potential of microRNAs in the development of therapeutics and diagnostic products, including antiviral therapeutics constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including risks related to: Rosetta’s approach to discover and develop novel diagnostics products, which is unproven and may never lead to marketable products; Rosetta’s ability to fund and the results of further pre-clinical and clinical trials; Rosetta’s ability to obtain, maintain and protect the intellectual property utilized by Rosetta’s products; Rosetta’s ability to enforce its patents against infringers and to defend its patent portfolio against challenges from third parties; Rosetta’s ability to obtain additional funding to support its business activities; Rosetta’s dependence on third parties for development, manufacture, marketing, sales, and distribution of products; the successful development of Rosetta’s product candidates, all of which are in early stages of development; Rosetta’s ability to obtain regulatory approval for products; competition from others using technology similar to Rosetta’s and others developing products for similar uses; Rosetta’s dependence on collaborators; and Rosetta’s short operating history; as well as those risks more fully discussed under “Key Information - Risk Factors” in Rosetta’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2006 on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Rosetta’s views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Rosetta does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements unless required by law.
Contact: Media Alan Zachary T: +1-312-944-6784 media@rosettagenomics.com Investors Juliane Snowden T: +1-212-213-0006 investors@rosettagenomics.com
Rosetta Genomics Ltd
CONTACT: Contact: Media: Alan Zachary, T: +1-312-944-6784,media@rosettagenomics.com; Investors: Juliane Snowden, T: +1-212-213-0006,investors@rosettagenomics.com
