Regulus Therapeutics will take in $28 million as part of a new partnership with AstraZeneca ($AZN) involving preclinical work on metabolic diseases, cancer and atherosclerosis. Regulus, which focuses on regulating gene expression through microRNAs, will earn equity and an upfront fee as part of the arrangement. As clinical programs advance, AstraZeneca plans to step in to manage them. Regulus, a 2008 Fierce 15 company, has similar deals in place with GlaxoSmithKline ($GSK) and Sanofi ($SNY). Regulus, meanwhile, filed for a $58 million IPO. Story