Rosetta Genomics Granted U.S. Patent Allowance for the Use of microRNAs to Treat Liver Cancer
November 07 2013 - 9:06AM
Marketwired
Rosetta Genomics Granted U.S. Patent Allowance for the Use of
microRNAs to Treat Liver Cancer
Expands the Company's Patent Portfolio in Oncology
Therapeutics
PRINCETON, NJ and REHOVOT, ISRAEL--(Marketwired - Nov 7, 2013) -
Rosetta Genomics Ltd. (NASDAQ: ROSG), a leading developer and
provider of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics, announces receipt
of a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
(USPTO) related to U.S. Patent Application No. 13/481,105 titled
"Targeting microRNAs for the Treatment of Liver Cancer."
This allowance is for a therapeutic patent that protects a
method for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or liver
cancer, and covers the administration of a compound comprising a
modified oligonucleotide that is an anti-miR-222. In addition,
various modifications of the nucleotide are claimed. There is an
additional claim which refers to the reduction of the levels of
serum alpha-fetoprotein or serum des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin in
the subject to be treated.
"HCC is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the third
leading cause of cancer deaths. Because standard chemotherapy
usually has no beneficial outcome on HCC patients, there is
significant need for new therapeutic modalities and novel
therapeutic targets in order to develop more effective treatments
for HCC," said E. Robert Wassman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of
Rosetta Genomics. "Since microRNAs are master regulators of gene
expression, their de-regulation can trigger changes that lead to
the disease phenotype, and the modulation of their activity can be
a key to the development of novel therapies."
"We continue to fortify and protect our global leadership
position in microRNA technology with the addition of this valuable
patent allowance," commented Kenneth A. Berlin, President and CEO
of Rosetta Genomics. "Our solid patent position in microRNAs
provides us with the opportunity to license, partner or otherwise
derive value from this powerful technology for use in a variety of
diagnostic and targeted therapeutics in oncology where there
continues to be a large, unmet medical need."
Rosetta Genomics maintains an active intellectual property
strategy to protect its leadership position in microRNA technology.
Rosetta's portfolio includes 33 issued patents, including 30 in the
U.S. In addition, Rosetta has 43 patent applications pending, of
which 23 are in the U.S. These applications protect the specific
microRNAs used in the Company's products and cover composition of
matter, diagnostic applications, therapeutic applications and
discovery process applications for microRNAs in humans.
About Liver Cancer According to the National Cancer Institute,
primary liver and bile duct cancers are the fifth most common cause
of cancer death in men and the ninth most common cause of cancer
death in women. Over the past two decades, the incidence rates for
these cancers have increased in people of all races and in both
genders; mortality rates have increased in all groups except
Asians/Pacific Islanders. Men are more than twice as likely as
women to develop and die from liver and bile duct cancers, and
African Americans and Hispanics are almost twice as likely to
develop these cancers as whites. Although Hispanics and
Asians/Pacific Islanders have lower incidence rates of most types
of cancer than whites, they have much higher rates of liver
cancer.
Liver cancer is closely associated with hepatitis virus
infections. Almost all cases of liver cancer in the United States
occur in people who first had cirrhosis, usually resulting from
hepatitis B or C infection or from heavy alcohol use. Ingestion of
foods contaminated with aflatoxin and obesity may also increase
liver cancer risk. Vaccinating for hepatitis B provides long-term
protection from hepatitis B infection and has been shown to lower
the risk of liver cancer in children, although it is not yet known
whether it lowers the risk in adults. There is no standard or
routine screening test for liver cancer. Standard treatments for
liver cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy,
percutaneous ethanol injection and targeted therapy.
About Rosetta Cancer Testing Services Rosetta Cancer Tests are a
series of microRNA-based diagnostic testing services offered by
Rosetta Genomics. The Rosetta Cancer Origin Test™ can accurately
identify the primary tumor type in primary and metastatic cancer
including cancer of unknown or uncertain primary (CUP). Rosetta
Mesothelioma Test™ diagnoses mesothelioma, a cancer connected to
asbestos exposure. The Rosetta Lung Cancer Test™ accurately
identifies the four main subtypes of lung cancer using small
amounts of tumor cells. The Rosetta Kidney Cancer Test™ accurately
classifies the four most common kidney tumors: clear cell renal
cell carcinoma (RCC), papillary RCC, chromophobe RCC and
oncocytoma. Rosetta's assays are designed to provide objective
diagnostic data; it is the treating physician's responsibility to
diagnose and administer the appropriate treatment. In the U.S.
alone, Rosetta Genomics estimates that 200,000 patients a year may
benefit from the Rosetta Cancer Origin Test™, 60,000 from the
Rosetta Mesothelioma Test™, 65,000 from the Rosetta Kidney Cancer
Test™ and 226,000 patients from the Rosetta Lung Cancer Test™. The
Company's assays are offered directly by Rosetta Genomics in the
U.S., and through distributors around the world. For more
information, please visit www.rosettagenomics.com. Parties
interested in ordering the test can contact Rosetta Genomics at
(215) 382-9000 ext.
309.
About Rosetta Genomics Rosetta develops and commercializes a
full range of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics. Founded in
2000, Rosetta'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 patent position and proprietary
platform technologies, Rosetta is working on the application of
these technologies in the development and commercialization of a
full range of microRNA-based diagnostic tools. Rosetta's cancer
testing services are commercially available through its
Philadelphia-based CAP-accredited, CLIA-certified lab. Frost &
Sullivan recognized Rosetta Genomics with the 2012 North American
Next Generation Diagnostics Entrepreneurial Company of the Year
Award.
Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer Various statements in this
release concerning Rosetta's future expectations, plans and
prospects, including without limitation, Rosetta's Cancer of Origin
Test™, Rosetta's development or commercialization of molecular
diagnostics, the market acceptance of Rosetta's cancer testing
services, particularly the Rosetta Cancer Origin Test™, Rosetta's
development of personalized medicine products and services, Rosetta
licensing, partnering or otherwise deriving value from microRNA
technology for use in a variety of diagnostic and targeted
therapeutics and Rosetta developing therapeutic products.,
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 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, 2012 as filed with the
SEC. 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.
Company Contact: Rosetta Genomics Ken Berlin President & CEO
(609) 419-9000, ext.
1326 investors@rosettagenomics.com Investor Contacts: LHA Anne
Marie Fields (212) 838-3777
afields@lhai.com or Bruce Voss (310) 691-7100
bvoss@lhai.com
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