REHOVOT, Israel and NORTH BRUNSWICK, New Jersey, June 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rosetta Genomics , a leading microRNA company, announced today it has signed a licensing agreement with Rockefeller University for the therapeutic application of proprietary microRNA genes. The addition of these viral and human microRNAs to the Company’s existing intellectual property estate gives Rosetta Genomics access to over 500 proprietary microRNA drug targets. This vast intellectual property portfolio covering a wide range of novel targets, coupled with Rosetta Genomics’ extensive know how in the field of microRNAs and cutting edge technologies, establishes the company as a key leader in the research and development of microRNA-based therapeutics and diagnostics.
MicroRNAs have been shown to hold tremendous potential as a new class of prospective drug targets with significant therapeutic opportunity. Rosetta Genomics’ lead therapeutic development program for liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC), being conducted in collaboration with Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , has so far identified four microRNAs that when inhibited in vitro lead to a decrease in liver cancer cell proliferation. Human and viral microRNA targets are expected to play a role in the regulation of key disease processes in major therapeutic areas such as oncology, metabolism and infectious diseases. The liver cancer program at Rosetta Genomics is being funded in part by the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD).
“Rosetta Genomics intends to continue to expand what we believe to be the dominant intellectual property estate related to microRNA genes for diagnostic and therapeutic uses,” said Amir Avniel, President and CEO of Rosetta
Genomics. “Our strategy is to supplement our in-house IP efforts through licensing agreements with key academic centers such as Rockefeller University. The proprietary human and viral microRNAs brought to us through this important relationship will provide us access to even more potential drug targets. We are encouraged with the preliminary in vitro results in our liver cancer program and see the addition of these microRNAs as essential to the development of a robust and broad therapeutic pipeline.”
In addition to its therapeutic development program, Rosetta Genomics is advancing several cancer diagnostic products in its pipeline. The Company’s leading product in development is a diagnostic test for Cancer of Unknown Primary which is designed to assist oncologists in determining the origin of metastases. Rosetta Genomics plans to launch the CUP diagnostic test in the second half of 2008.
About microRNAs
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a recently discovered, naturally occurring form of RNAi. These small RNAs 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, microRNA expression levels have been shown to be correlated with various disease states and to hold great potential as diagnostics and prognostic markers
About Rockefeller University
The Rockefeller University is a world-renowned center for research and graduate education in the biomedical sciences, chemistry, and physics. Founded by John D. Rockefeller in 1901, the university has been the site of many important scientific breakthroughs. Rockefeller scientists established that DNA is the chemical basis of heredity, discovered blood groups, showed that viruses can cause cancer, founded the modern field of cell biology, and worked out the structure of antibodies. Twenty-three Nobel Prize winners have been associated with the university.
For more information please visit: http://www.rockefeller.edu
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: www.rosettagenomics.com
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 miRNAs in human physiology and disease, the potential of microRNAs in the development of therapeutics and diagnostic products, and the timing and progress of our development programs, including the expected launch of our CUP diagnostic test, 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; obtaining, maintaining and protecting 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; obtaining 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 & Investors Burns McClellan, Inc. Clay Kramer T: +1-212-213-0006 investor.relations@rosettagenomics.com
Rosetta Genomics Ltd
CONTACT: Contact: Media & Investors, Burns McClellan, Inc., Clay Kramer,T: +1-212-213-0006, investor.relations@rosettagenomics.com
