LA JOLLA, Calif., Feb. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Regulus
Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:RGLS), a biopharmaceutical company
leading the discovery and development of innovative medicines
targeting microRNAs, announced today the appointment of
Martin Beaulieu, Ph.D. as the head
of Regulus microMarkers™, a research and development
division of Regulus designed to support the expansion of its
innovative biomarkers platform aimed at identifying microRNAs as
biomarkers for disease. Regulus microMarkers™ utilizes
a clinically-validated, highly reproducible, proprietary technology
platform to extract, profile, and analyze microRNAs as potential
biomarkers for disease and Regulus controls key intellectual
property and know-how related to the division.
"The work we are conducting in our Regulus microMarkers™
division is very important," said Neil W.
Gibson, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Regulus.
"We believe our innovative technology platform and know-how may
help us and others make more informed decisions earlier in drug
development, such as utilizing microRNA biomarkers to select
optimal patient segments in clinical trials and developing
prognostic and predictive markers that can help monitor disease
progression or relapse."
David Szekeres, Chief Business
Officer and General Counsel of Regulus added, "We are
extremely pleased to welcome Dr. Beaulieu to lead Regulus
microMarkers™. His experience will enhance our
collective expertise and will provide guidance as we continue to
expand our efforts in identifying microRNAs as biomarkers for
disease."
Dr. Beaulieu brings over 15 years of diagnostic assay
development and biomarker research experience within the life
science industry to Regulus. Prior to joining Regulus, Dr.
Beaulieu held positions of increasing responsibility at Abbott
Point of Care Inc., DiagnoCure, Inc., Gen-Probe, Inc., and
Sequenom, Inc. During his tenure in these positions, Dr.
Beaulieu was responsible for leading teams in the development of
molecular applications and diagnostic assays including novel high
value molecular oncology prognostic tests.
Regulus believes that microRNA biomarkers are of significant
value and may provide opportunities to develop prognostic and
predictive markers that can help monitor disease progression or
relapse for its therapeutic candidates that may be developed and
any drugs developed by other companies. In 2012, Regulus
formed a research collaboration with Biogen Idec focused on the
discovery of microRNAs as biomarkers for multiple sclerosis.
More recently, Regulus has entered into an arrangement with another
leading, commercial-stage pharmaceutical company to explore
microRNAs as biomarkers for specific patient populations.
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.
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 rich intellectual property estate and oligonucleotide
technology know-how and believes that microRNA biomarkers may be
used to select optimal patient segments in clinical trials and to
develop prognostic and predictive markers that can help monitor
disease progression or relapse.
About Regulus
Regulus Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:RGLS) is a
biopharmaceutical company leading the discovery and development of
innovative medicines targeting microRNAs. Regulus is uniquely
positioned to leverage a mature therapeutic platform that harnesses
the oligonucleotide drug discovery and development expertise of
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which
founded the company. Regulus has a well-balanced
microRNA therapeutic pipeline entering clinical development, an
emerging microRNA biomarkers platform to support its therapeutic
programs, and a rich intellectual property estate to retain its
leadership in the microRNA field. Regulus intends to focus
its proprietary efforts on developing microRNA therapeutics for
oncology indications and orphan diseases and is currently advancing
several programs toward clinical development in oncology, fibrosis
and metabolic diseases. Regulus is also developing RG-101, a
GalNAc-conjugated anti-miR targeting microRNA-122, for the
treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Regulus'
commitment to innovation and its leadership in the microRNA field
have enabled the formation of strategic alliances with AstraZeneca,
GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi. In addition, the Company has
established Regulus microMarkers™, a research and
development division focused on identifying microRNAs as biomarkers
of human disease, which is designed to support its therapeutic
pipeline, collaborators and strategic partners.
For more information, please
visit http://www.regulusrx.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters
that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995, including statements associated with Regulus' expectations
regarding future therapeutic and commercial potential of Regulus'
business plans, technologies and intellectual property related to
microRNA therapeutics being discovered and developed by
Regulus. Because such statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such
as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends,"
"will," "goal," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements are based upon Regulus' current expectations and involve
assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be
incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could
differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking
statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which
include, without limitation, risks associated with the process of
discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and
effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of
building a business around such drugs. These and other risks
concerning Regulus' programs are described in additional detail in
Regulus' SEC filings. All forward-looking statements
contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which
they were made. Regulus undertakes no obligation to update such
statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist
after the date on which they were made.
SOURCE Regulus Therapeutics Inc.