LA JOLLA,
Calif., Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Regulus Therapeutics Inc., a
biopharmaceutical company leading the discovery and development of innovative
medicines targeting microRNAs, announced today that it has entered into a
collaboration with Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) to identify microRNAs as
biomarkers for multiple sclerosis (MS). Under the transaction, Biogen Idec will
make an investment in Regulus in addition to upfront and milestone payments.
The key objective of the collaboration is to identify microRNA biomarkers in
the blood of patients with MS. Regulus believes that microRNA biomarkers may be
used to select optimal patient segments in clinical trials, to develop
companion diagnostics, and to monitor disease progression or relapse.
"Utilizing
innovative technology such as biomarkers can help us make more informed
decisions earlier in clinical development and is key to our overall company
strategy to enhance early-stage discovery efforts," said Steven Holtzman,
Executive Vice President, Corporate Development of Biogen Idec. "We're
excited to collaborate with Regulus to seek to identify biomarkers in MS
patients, and are hopeful it can speed the work we're doing to bring new,
effective treatments to market for patients with MS."
"Regulus
is delighted to form a collaboration with Biogen Idec, a biotechnology pioneer
with more than thirty years of innovative contributions to the industry,"
said Garry E. Menzel, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice
President of Finance of Regulus Therapeutics Inc. "This collaboration
allows us to further explore our proprietary microRNA biomarker platform with
Biogen Idec's additional resources and expertise. We believe that identification
of microRNAs as biomarkers for multiple sclerosis may advance the treatment of
this devastating disease."
About microRNAs and microRNAs as
Biomarkers
The discovery of microRNAs in humans during the last decade is one of the most exciting scientific breakthroughs in recent history. microRNAs are small RNA molecules, typically 20 to 25 nucleotides in length, that do not encode proteins but instead regulate gene expression. More than 500 microRNAs have been identified in the human genome, and over one-third of all human genes are believed to be regulated by microRNAs. microRNA expression, or function, has been shown to be significantly altered or dysregulated in many disease states, including oncology, fibrosis and metabolic diseases. Regulus believes that microRNAs are clinically relevant therapeutic targets and may be ideally suited as biomarkers for these disease states and others, like MS.
The discovery of microRNAs in humans during the last decade is one of the most exciting scientific breakthroughs in recent history. microRNAs are small RNA molecules, typically 20 to 25 nucleotides in length, that do not encode proteins but instead regulate gene expression. More than 500 microRNAs have been identified in the human genome, and over one-third of all human genes are believed to be regulated by microRNAs. microRNA expression, or function, has been shown to be significantly altered or dysregulated in many disease states, including oncology, fibrosis and metabolic diseases. Regulus believes that microRNAs are clinically relevant therapeutic targets and may be ideally suited as biomarkers for these disease states and others, like MS.
microRNAs have been detected in bodily fluids such as blood, and emerging data
has demonstrated that microRNA signatures in blood can mimic the expression
profile observed in disease tissues. Regulus has a comprehensive intellectual
property estate and oligonucleotide technology know-how and believes that
microRNA biomarkers may be used to select optimal patient segments in clinical
trials, to develop companion diagnostics, and to monitor disease progression or
relapse.
About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, unpredictable, and progressive disease of the central nervous system that causes inflammation and destruction of nerve fibers as well as the myelin sheath, the protective layer that surrounds the body's nerve fibers. Symptoms of MS vary and may include cognitive impairment, loss of vision, weak limbs, unsteadiness in walking, and fatigue. According to the Multiple Sclerosis International Foundation, MS is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system, and there are more than 2 million people around the world living with the disease.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, unpredictable, and progressive disease of the central nervous system that causes inflammation and destruction of nerve fibers as well as the myelin sheath, the protective layer that surrounds the body's nerve fibers. Symptoms of MS vary and may include cognitive impairment, loss of vision, weak limbs, unsteadiness in walking, and fatigue. According to the Multiple Sclerosis International Foundation, MS is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system, and there are more than 2 million people around the world living with the disease.
About Biogen Idec
Through cutting-edge science and medicine, Biogen Idec discovers, develops and delivers to patients worldwide innovative therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, hemophilia and autoimmune disorders. Founded in 1978, Biogen Idec is the world's oldest independent biotechnology company. Patients worldwide benefit from its leading multiple sclerosis therapies, and the company generates more than $5 billion in annual revenues. For product labeling, press releases and additional information about the company, please visit www.biogenidec.com.
Through cutting-edge science and medicine, Biogen Idec discovers, develops and delivers to patients worldwide innovative therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, hemophilia and autoimmune disorders. Founded in 1978, Biogen Idec is the world's oldest independent biotechnology company. Patients worldwide benefit from its leading multiple sclerosis therapies, and the company generates more than $5 billion in annual revenues. For product labeling, press releases and additional information about the company, please visit www.biogenidec.com.
About Regulus Therapeutics Inc.
Regulus Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company leading the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs. Regulus is using a mature therapeutic platform based on technology that has been developed over 20 years. The company works with a broad network of academic collaborators and leverages the oligonucleotide drug discovery and development expertise of its founding companies, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ALNY) and Isis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ISIS). Regulus is advancing microRNA therapeutics toward clinical development in several areas, including oncology, fibrosis, hepatitis C and metabolic diseases. Regulus has formed strategic alliances with AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi and entered into a research collaboration with Biogen Idec.
CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE:
http://www.biospace.com/News/biogen-idec-inc-massachusetts-regulus-therapeutics/270281/Source=TopBreaking
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Regulus Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company leading the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs. Regulus is using a mature therapeutic platform based on technology that has been developed over 20 years. The company works with a broad network of academic collaborators and leverages the oligonucleotide drug discovery and development expertise of its founding companies, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ALNY) and Isis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ISIS). Regulus is advancing microRNA therapeutics toward clinical development in several areas, including oncology, fibrosis, hepatitis C and metabolic diseases. Regulus has formed strategic alliances with AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi and entered into a research collaboration with Biogen Idec.
CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE:
http://www.biospace.com/News/biogen-idec-inc-massachusetts-regulus-therapeutics/270281/Source=TopBreaking
PRE-OWNED LAB 7 PROCESS EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE, CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS:http://www.ssllc.com/Default.aspx
