Cenix BioScience Signs Research Agreement with Regulus Therapeutics for miRNA-Targeted Drug Discovery
DRESDEN, Germany, Jul 21, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cenix BioScience GmbH (Dresden), a leading specialist in advanced RNA interference (RNAi)-based research services today announced that they have signed a research agreement with Regulus Therapeutics LLC to advance the latter's efforts in the discovery of novel therapeutic miRNA modulators.
Cenix will apply its well-established expertise in combining high throughput applications of small RNA-based gene silencing with high content phenotypic analyses in cultured human cells. The company will thereby screen libraries of synthetic miRNA modulators designed and produced by Regulus, using multi-parametric assays to identify novel lead molecules offering highest therapeutic potential in the area of immunology and inflammation.
"Following the long-standing relationship and mutual respect shared with several key members of the starting team at Regulus, we at Cenix are very much looking forward to working together to drive this ground-breaking discovery program forward" said Dr. Christophe Echeverri, CEO/CSO of Cenix.
"Regulus is committed to discovering and developing novel microRNA-targeted therapeutics and adding to a large and growing body of knowledge on how individual microRNAs function within the cell," said Peter S. Linsley, Ph.D. CSO of Regulus. "We look forward to working collaboratively with Cenix to identify interesting microRNA-targeted drug candidates."
No further terms of the agreement were released.
About Cenix BioScience GmbH
Cenix BioScience GmbH is a pioneer and global leader in the convergence of high throughput (HT), genomics-driven applications of RNA interference (RNAi) with high content, multi-parametric cell-based assays. Founded in 1999 as the first biotechnology company specializing exclusively in HT-RNAi, Cenix has accumulated unparalleled depth and breadth of experience in this field, using human and rodent cell models to drive the discovery and validation of novel therapeutic drug targets and the analysis of drug mechanisms of action in a wide range of disease indications, including oncology, atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative disorders and infectious diseases such as malaria. Cenix offers its unique expertise to industry and academic researchers through fully customizable research and consulting services. Please contact Cenix or visit the company's web site www.cenix-bioscience.com for more information.
About Regulus Therapeutics LLC
Regulus Therapeutics LLC is a biopharmaceutical company formed to discover, develop, and commercialize microRNA (miRNA) therapeutics. Regulus aspires to translate one of the most important new discoveries in biology into a novel new approach for innovative medicine and to build the leading miRNA company. Created as a joint venture by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Isis Pharmaceuticals, Regulus benefits from oligonucleotide drug discovery expertise, an established technology, and a broad intellectual property estate created and consolidated by its parent companies for the development and commercialization of miRNA therapeutics. Regulus' patent estate includes over 600 patents and more than 300 pending patent applications, pertaining primarily to chemical modifications of oligonucleotides targeting miRNA for therapeutic applications. In addition, Regulus has collaborations with academic researchers to build on the company's understanding of more than 60 miRNAs. In April 2008, Regulus formed a major alliance with G
laxoSmithKline to explore miRNA therapeutics for inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Regulus, founded in September 2007, maintains facilities in Carlsbad, California. For more information, visit www.regulusrx.com.
Cenix and the Cenix BioScience logo are registered trademarks owned by Cenix BioScience GmbH in the US and other countries.