from BusinessWire
miR-122 is a liver-expressed microRNA that has been shown to be a critical endogenous “host factor” for the replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV), and anti-miRs targeting miR-122 have been shown to block HCV infection (Jopling et al. (2005) Science 309, 1577-81). In earlier work, scientists at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Isis Pharmaceuticals demonstrated the ability to antagonize miR-122 in vivo using chemically modified single-stranded anti-miR oligonucleotides. Data from multiple preclinical studies have shown a robust HCV antiviral effect following inhibition of miR-122.
Regulus Therapeutics Inc. is developing a microRNA therapeutic targeting miR-122 for the treatment of HCV infection and plans to file an investigational new drug (IND) application in 2011.
Today, Regulus announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) and United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have recently granted claims for microRNA-122 therapy in hepatitis C viral (HCV) infections. These two new patents will further strengthen the Regulus-controlled patent estate surrounding miR-122 compositions and methods of use, which include:
- The ‘Sarnow’ patent claiming the use of anti-miR-122 to inhibit HCV replication (US Patent No. 7,307,067)
- The ‘Esau’ patent claiming the use of anti-miRs targeting miR-122 as inhibitory agents (US Patent No. 7,683,036)
- The ‘Tuschl III’ patent claiming compositions of matter for miR-122 and complementary oligonucleotides (US Patent No. 7,232,806)
- The ‘Manoharan’ patent claiming antagomirs, including antagomirs targeting miR-122 (US Patent No. 7,582,744)
- A recently granted Regulus-owned European application claiming the use of miR-122 antagonists for reducing cholesterol (EP Application No. 06813949.2)
(read the entire press release)
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by Chris on July 7, 2010
in News
Drugmakers place big bets on the emerging science of microRNA.
By Arlene Weintraub
San Diego startup Regulus, founded in 2007, has quietly been working on a new way to target RNA for drug development. The company has been studying a subset of RNA molecules called microRNAs, or miRNAs. First discovered in the 1990s, misbehaving miRNAs have been linked to several diseases, including cancer and heart failure. Drug developers hope these molecules will prove to be particularly effective drug targets because manipulating just one seems to suppress several disease-linked proteins–whereas most biotech drugs only target individual proteins. [click to continue…]
by Chris on June 22, 2010
in News
Sanofi-Aventis and Regulus Therapeutics Form Major Strategic Alliance on microRNA Therapeutics
Carlsbad, CA., June 22, 2010 – Regulus Therapeutics Inc. and sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) announced today that they have entered into a global, strategic alliance to discover, develop, and commercialize microRNA therapeutics. The alliance represents the largest microRNA partnership formed to date, valued at potentially over $750 million, and includes a $25 million upfront fee, a $10 million future equity investment subject to mutual agreement on company valuation, and annual research support for three years with the option to extend two additional years. The alliance will initially focus on the therapeutic area of fibrosis. Regulus and sanofi-aventis will collaborate on up to four microRNA targets, including Regulus’ lead fibrosis program targeting microRNA-21. sanofi-aventis also receives an option for a broader technology alliance that provides Regulus certain rights to participate in development and commercialization of resulting products. If exercised, this three-year option is worth an additional $50 million to Regulus. (read more… )
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