REHOVOT, Israel and NORTH BRUNSWICK, New Jersey, March 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (NASDQ: ROSG) announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for two of the company’s patent applications on human (10/604,726) and viral (10/604,942) microRNAs. The first allowed patent application (10/604,726) is related to two clustered human hairpins and their related microRNAs. The second allowed patent application (10/604,942) is related to microRNA US5-1, a viral microRNA found in Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a member of the herpes virus family.
“Our leading intellectual property portfolio in microRNAs, which now includes two issued and two allowed patents, is a key component of our business strategy,” said Amir Avniel, President and CEO of Rosetta Genomics. “Combining our proprietary microRNAs with microRNAs discovered in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University exclusively licensed to Rosetta Genomics, we believe we have exclusive access to the majority of known human and viral microRNA genes. In addition, we have in-licensed microRNAs from leading research institutes in this field. We believe this strong intellectual property position, will enable us to rapidly expand our pipeline and advance new microRNA-based diagnostics for a wide range of indications.”
Rosetta Genomics has filed dozens of patent applications protecting composition-of-matter of human and viral microRNAs. These patent applications are related to hundreds of human and viral microRNAs sequences. The patent applications are directed to a wide range of variations, including mutations on the mature microRNA, the microRNAs’ precursor and its predicted binding sites. In addition, the Company’s patent applications are also related to the predicted biological function of the microRNAs, and their uses in research, diagnostics and therapeutics.
About microRNAs
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently discovered, naturally occurring small RNAs that act as master 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 in various pathological conditions. As a result, these differences may provide for a novel diagnostic strategy for many 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 hundreds of biologically validated novel human microRNAs. Building on its strong IP position and proprietary platform technologies, Rosetta Genomics is working to develop a full range of microRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic tools, focusing primarily on cancer and various women’s health indications. The company expects the first microRNA diagnostic tests based on its technology to be launched during 2008.
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, the potential of microRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and the Company’s ability to rapidly expand its pipeline and advance new microRNA-based diagnostics for a wide range of indications 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 tools, which is unproven and may never lead to marketable products or services; 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 candidate tools, products and services, all of which are in early stages of development; Rosetta’s ability to obtain regulatory clearances or approvals that may be required for its products and services; the ability to obtain coverage and adequate payment from health insurers for the products and services comprising Rosetta’s technology; 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, Rachel Spielman, T: +1-212-583-2714, E:
media@rosettagenomics.com; Investors, Ron Kamienchick, T: +1-646- 509-1893,
E: investors@rosettagenomics.com
