Collaboration Will Seek to Identify Unique microRNA Signatures That Will Predict Risk of Recurrence in Lung Cancer Patients The Project Will Leverage Rosetta Genomics' Proprietary microRNA Extraction and Quantification Technologies, and M. D. Anderson's Extensive Know-How and Experience in Lung Cancer Research
REHOVOT, Israel and JERSEY CITY, New Jersey, June 6
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (NASDQ: ROSG), a leader in
the development of microRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic products,
announced today a research collaboration with The University of Texas M. D.
Anderson Cancer Center and the Kleberg Center for Molecular Markers to
develop a microRNA- based diagnostic test to predict risk of disease
recurrence in lung cancer patients who have undergone curative resection.
Current treatment for lung cancer includes surgical resection which may
be followed by adjuvant therapy. While patients with high risk of recurrence
may benefit from adjuvant therapy, those with low risk of recurrence may be
exposed to unnecessary toxicities. The goal of this collaboration is to
develop a test that will enable physicians to distinguish between patients
with high and low risk of recurrence to optimize treatment regimens.
"The potential diagnostic applications of microRNA biomarkers are broad
and diverse," noted Amir Avniel, president and CEO of Rosetta Genomics. "We
are very pleased to be collaborating with M. (space) D. Anderson, one of the
world's leading cancer research centers, on this important project in lung
cancer. We believe that the experience we have in working with microRNA
biomarkers, combined with M. (space) D. Anderson's extensive experience in
lung cancer research, makes this a strong collaboration which may have a
significant impact on the way lung cancer patients are diagnosed and treated."
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women
worldwide and in the United States. In 2008 alone, there will be about
215,020 new cases of lung cancer in the United States, and approximately
160,000 people will die of the disease(1).
"We are quickly learning about the benefits of better diagnostics in
optimizing treatment administration," said Ignacio I. Wistuba, M.D.,
associate professor, Department of Pathology at
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. "Currently, the lack of sensitive
diagnostic tools means lung cancer patients, who have undergone a resection,
may be administered aggressive chemotherapy despite the fact that they are at
low risk of the cancer recurring. By leveraging microRNAs' unique sensitivity
as biomarkers, we have an opportunity to develop a novel test that will
assist clinicians and patients to better manage this type of cancer."
"The use of miRNA with existing genomic and proteomic information will
help us achieve the goal of personalization of the treatment," said Gordon
Mills, co-director of the Kleberg Center for Molecular Markers, at M. D.
Anderson Cancer Center.
"This is one of the many collaborations with industry leaders that the
Kleberg Center is building to bring novel technologies to achieve our mission
of affecting treatment changes," said Rahul Mitra, associate director of the
Kleberg Center.
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 Rosetta Genomics
Rosetta Genomics (Nasdaq: ROSG) is a leader in the field of microRNAs.
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 on the application of these technologies in the
development of a full range of microRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic
tools, focusing primarily on cancer and various women's health indications.
The company expects that the first microRNA diagnostic tests applying its
technology will be launched by licensed clinical laboratories in the United
States in 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 the
Company's ability to successfully develop lung cancer diagnostic tests,
specifically, through identifying unique microRNA signatures that may predict
risk of recurrence in stage I and II Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
patients, 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 tools, which is unproven and may never lead to
marketable products or services; 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 candidate tools, products and services, all of which
are in early stages of development; Rosetta's ability to obtain regulatory
clearances or approvals that may be required for its products and services;
the ability to obtain coverage and adequate payment from health insurers for
the products and services comprising Rosetta's technology; 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.
(1) American Cancer Society
Contact:
Media
Rachel Spielman
T: +1-212-583-2714
E: media@rosettagenomics.com
Investors
Ron Kamienchick
T: +1-646-509-1893
E: investors@rosettagenomics.com
SOURCE Rosetta Genomics Ltd
