REHOVOT, Israel and NORTH BRUNSWICK, New Jersey, November 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (NASDQ: ROSG) announced today the initiation of in vivo studies in its microRNA-based liver cancer therapeutic program conducted in collaboration with Isis Pharmaceuticals(1) . The project, combining Isis’s extensive know how and IP in antisense chemistry and Rosetta Genomics’ know how and proprietary microRNA platform technologies, is the companies’ leading attempt at harnessing microRNAs’ role as master switches of the human body to develop a treatment for cancer.
Out of hundreds of potential microRNAs screened and tested, eight have been identified to lead to a decrease in liver cancer cell growth when inhibited. These microRNAs will be further tested during the in vivo studies.
Liver cancer is the third most common cause of cancer deaths in men and the tenth most common in women, according to the National Cancer Institute. Approximately 20,000 people will die this year of liver cancer in the US alone.
“Rosetta and Isis decided two years ago to focus on developing a microRNA-based drug for this deadly cancer,” noted Amir Avniel, CEO and President of Rosetta Genomics. “We are proud to present these results, demonstrating that microRNAs play a key role in liver cancer, and that targeting them in vitro leads to a decrease in cancer cell growth. We look forward to starting the in vivo studies.”
Data on this program was presented by the two companies at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) conference; “The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer”, held in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Nov. 2. Slides of the presentation are available for viewing on Rosetta’s web site under the Events Calendar link on the homepage.
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 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, and the potential of microRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, and the expected progress and timing of the liver cancer therapeutic program 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.
(1) The liver cancer program at Rosetta Genomics is being funded in part by the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD).
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