REHOVOT, Israel and NORTH BRUNSWICK, New Jersey, January 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (Nasdaq: ROSG), a leader in the development of microRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics, announced today it has signed a collaboration agreement with the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan, to develop microRNA-based diagnostics and prognostics for brain cancer. The Henry Ford Hospital is one of the world's leading research centers for brain cancer.
Under the collaboration, the parties will conduct a genome-wide molecular analysis of human brain cancer tumors to identify unique microRNA biomarkers that have diagnostic and prognostic potential. Upon receipt of the results from this analysis, Rosetta Genomics will use its proprietary microRNA extraction technologies to perform a microRNA analysis from Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) samples received from Henry Ford Hospital.
"The goal of our collaborations with the leading cancer research centers is to seek new indications for our microRNA-based diagnostics," said Amir Avniel, President and CEO of Rosetta Genomics. "Together with Henry Ford Hopsital's leading brain cancer researchers, we believe we will be able to leverage the potential microRNAs hold as biomarkers to develop diagnostic and prognostic tools for this difficult disease."
"There is great unmet medical need for improved diagnostics in identifying and treating patients with brain cancer," said Chaya Brodie, Ph.D., and Tom Mikkelsen, M.D. of the department of neurosurgery at Henry Ford Hospital. Dr. Brodie is Director of the William and Karen Davidson Laboratory of Cell Signaling & Tumorigenes and neuro-oncologist Dr. Mikkelsen is co-director of the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center. "A significant advantage of using microRNAs as biomarkers, is that they do not degrade when the tumor sample is stored as an FFPE block. As FFPE blocks can be stored at room temperature, these sample types are readily available and allow us to conduct retrospective studies. Through these studies, we can identify microRNA diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, such as for disease staging, response to treatment, and risk of recurrence. Combining Rosetta Genomics' proprietary technologies for microRNA research and its experience in this field with our expertise in brain cancer is a good starting point for this important project."
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 in various pathological conditions. As a result, these differences may provide for a novel diagnostic strategy for many diseases.
About Henry Ford Hospital
Henry Ford Hospital is a 903-bed tertiary care hospital, education and research complex in Detroit's New Center Area. The Hermelin Brain Tumor Center at Henry Ford Hospital focuses on brain and spine tumors and is considered one of the largest neuro-oncology centers in the nation. It also houses one of the most comprehensive brain tumor research labs and biorepository in the country. The Center continues to focus on novel investigations to help control brain tumor growth and spread, including molecular targeted therapy; gene therapy and anti-angiogenesis therapy.
About Rosetta Genomics
Rosetta Genomics (Nasdaq: ROSG) 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 proprietary platform technologies, Rosetta Genomics is working to develop a full range of microRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic products, focusing primarily on cancer and various women's health indications. The company expects its first microRNA-based diagnostic tests to be launched during 2008.
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, the potential of microRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, and our ability to successfully develop a microRNA-based diagnostic test for brain cancer 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.
SOURCE Rosetta Genomics Ltd
