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Rosetta Genomics Receives First Ever Patent Supporting MicroRNA-Based Diagnostics and Therapeutics
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Rehovot, Israel and North Brunswick, NJ -- Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (Nasdaq: ROSG), a leading microRNA company, announced today that on May 15, 2007, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued Rosetta Genomics U.S. Patent No. 7,217,807. This is the first microRNA composition of matter patent ever issued relating to a human or viral microRNA gene, and the company believes that this issuance sets an important precedent for Rosetta Genomics' entire target patent portfolio.
The patent covers composition of matter directed at a specific microRNA gene found in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The company believes that this patent, as well as the hundreds of other viral and human microRNA-related patent claims filed by the company worldwide, constitutes a broad intellectual property estate surrounding a new class of prospective drug targets with significant therapeutic opportunity. Targeting microRNAs provides the unique potential to either up- or down-regulate key disease causing proteins. The potential to up- or down-regulate protein expression broadly across this prospective target class is a significant advantage. 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.
"This is truly a precedent setting event for validating our extensive portfolio in microRNA genes for both therapeutics and diagnostics," said Ranit Aharonov, Ph.D., Executive Vice President IP & Computational Biology at Rosetta Genomics Ltd. "Rosetta Genomics is the first commercial entity to receive a patent on a microRNA gene. Given we have another patent which has been allowed, and many others in active examination, we feel confident that we will continue to see issuances of our patents for both human and viral microRNA gene sequences as well as patents covering microRNA biomarkers and our cutting-edge enabling technologies. We view the USPTO's decision to issue this patent as strong validation of our position as a leader in this rapidly expanding field. "
"This is a landmark occasion for us", said Amir Avniel, President and CEO of Rosetta Genomics Ltd. "This is a significant step towards validating Rosetta Genomics' leadership role in terms of our microRNA intellectual property estate. Moreover, we believe the issuance of this patent, and future such patents, will allow exclusive partnership opportunities and increases the value proposition across our broad product development pipeline for microRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics."
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 significant potential as diagnostics and prognostic markers.
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 miRNAs in human physiology and disease and the potential ability to treat disease by regulating protein activity through microRNAs, the potential ability of microRNAs to serve as diagnostic and prognostic markers, and the belief that additional patents for both human and viral microRNA gene sequences will be issued to the company, 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 in the "Risk Factors" section of Rosetta's most recent Registration Statement on Form F-1 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.
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