REHOVOT, Israel and NORTH BRUNSWICK, New Jersey, December 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rosetta Genomics announced today that in preparation for the launch of its first microRNA-based diagnostic products in 2008, it is strengthening its management team. Ronen Tamir has been appointed to the newly created position of Executive Vice President, Marketing and Communication, and will lead the commercialization of the company’s first-ever microRNA-based diagnostic products.
“I am very pleased to announce the addition of such an accomplished pharmaceutical executive to our management team,” said Amir Avniel, President and CEO of Rosetta Genomics. “Ronen brings with him a successful marketing, investor relations and communications background. His energy and leadership skills will be instrumental to the successful commercialization of our microRNA based products.”
Prior to joining Rosetta Genomics, Ronen Tamir was Vice President, Investor Relations for North America at Novartis AG. While Ronen was at Novartis, Novartis significantly increased its North American shareholder base and Ronen’s team won numerous awards, including the “Best European IR Team in North America for 2005" by IR magazine, the “Silver Anvil” award by the Public Relations Society of America, and the “Big Apple - Best of the Best” award by the Institution of Public Relations, both for Investor Relations campaign for 2006.
Prior to joining Novartis in 2004, Ronen held several key positions at Serono, including Director of Business Intelligence for North America and Global Product Manager, Neurology, in Geneva, Switzerland, where he oversaw the global launch of Rebif(R), the leading therapy for Multiple Sclerosis. In addition, Ronen was the Regional Product Manager for Neurology and Metabolism for Serono’s Intercontinental Business Operations.
Ronen holds a degree in Biology from Bar-Ilan University in Israel and an MBA from Warwick Business School in the UK.
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 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 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.
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