REHOVOT, Israel and NEW YORK, November 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (NASDQ: ROSG) and NYU School of Medicine announced today they have expanded their collaboration to include congenital heart disease (CHD). Applying Rosetta Genomics innovative microRNA extraction protocols from various body fluids and NYU School of Medicine’s vast experience in this field, this collaboration will screen for specific microRNA biomarkers and signatures that may be used to diagnose and target congenital heart disease in newborns.
About 40,000 infants (1 out of every 125) are born with CHD each year in the United States. The defect may be minor and the baby appears healthy for many years after birth, or severe enough that the baby’s life is in immediate danger. CHD is caused by the improper development of the heart or blood vessels near the heart, causing abnormal flow of blood. These abnormalities can result in congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and arrhythmias, with severe impairment of growth and development.
Recent studies have revealed key roles of microRNAs as regulators of growth, development, function, and responses to stress in the heart. We believe that these recently discovered regulatory mechanisms may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the treatment of heart disease.
“We have recently put in place a robust diagnostic development engine that includes hundreds of microRNA biomarkers and proprietary technologies,” noted Amir Avniel, CEO and President of Rosetta Genomics. “This engine is what allows us to rapidly expand our pipeline. As a cutting edge research institution, NYU School of Medicine is a close collaborator of Rosetta Genomics in the microRNA field, and I am confident this collaboration will enhance our understanding of the link between microRNAs and various heart conditions.”
“It is now clear that microRNAs play a key role in controlling diverse aspects of cardiac development and response to disease,” noted Dr. David B. Meyer, Director of Pediatric and Congenital Cardiothoracic Surgery, at NYU School of Medicine. “Rosetta Genomics’ extensive knowledge and proprietary technologies in the microRNA field, coupled with our experience in CHD, is an excellent starting point for this collaboration.”
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 NYU School of Medicine
One of the world’s premier academic medical institutions for more than 155 years, NYU School of Medicine continues to be a leader in patient care, physician education and scientific research. NYU School of Medicine is internationally renowned for excellence in areas such as cardiovascular disease, pediatrics, skin care, neurosurgery, urology, cancer care, rehabilitation, plastic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, transplant surgery, infertility, women’s health and day surgery.
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.
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, including heart disease, and the potential of microRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of disease 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 and therapeutic 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; Rosetta’s ability to successfully develop its 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 in the “Risk Factors” section of Rosetta’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward- looking statements represent Rosetta’s views only as of the date of this release 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.
media@rosettagenomics.cominvestors@rosettagenomics.com
CONTACT: Contact: Media, Alan Zachary, T: +1-(312)-944-6784,
media@rosettagenomics.com; Investors, Juliane Snowden, T:
+1-(212)-213-0006, investors@rosettagenomics.com.
