LA JOLLA, Calif., June 16, 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
Paul C. Grint, M.D. to its executive
management team as Chief Medical Officer. In his new role, Dr.
Grint will be responsible for leading and expanding Regulus'
microRNA clinical portfolio and will serve as a key member of its
executive leadership team.
"We are extremely pleased that Paul is joining Regulus at such
an important time in the growth of our company. Paul brings
to Regulus over two decades of experience in biologics and small
molecule drug development, including the successful development of
numerous commercial products in oncology, anti-infectives and
immunology in both domestic and international markets," said
Kleanthis G. Xanthopoulos, Ph.D.,
President and CEO of Regulus. "Paul is a recognized expert in
product development and his addition to our accomplished team will
strengthen our capabilities to bring this next innovative wave of
RNA therapies targeting microRNAs to patients in need."
Dr. Grint joined Regulus from Cerexa, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Forest Laboratories, Inc., where he served as
President and was responsible for the oversight of anti-infective
product development. Prior to joining Cerexa, Inc., Dr. Grint
served as Senior Vice President of Research at Forest Research
Institute, Inc., Chief Medical Officer at Kalypsys, Inc., and
Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Zephyr Sciences,
Inc., and he also served in similar executive level positions at
Pfizer Inc., IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and Schering-Plough
Corporation. Dr. Grint received his bachelor's degree from
St. Mary's Hospital in London and
his medical degree from St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College
at the University of London. Dr. Grint is a Fellow of the
Royal College of Pathologists, a member of numerous professional
and medical societies, and the author or co-author of over fifty
scientific publications.
"The discovery of microRNAs in humans is one of the most
exciting scientific developments in recent history and I believe
that microRNA therapeutics will be a major class of new medicines
with broad therapeutic application in many important diseases,"
said Paul C. Grint, M.D., Chief
Medical Officer of Regulus. "I am extremely excited about the
clinical potential of targeting microRNAs – the ability to regulate
entire pathways by controlling the translation of clusters of genes
in disease pathways may prove to be a very powerful way to treat
many complex diseases. To date, Regulus has made tremendous
progress in advancing its technology platform and I look forward to
working with the accomplished Regulus team to build a meaningful
clinical portfolio based on microRNAs."
About microRNAs
microRNAs are small RNA molecules, typically 20 to 25
nucleotides in length, that do not encode proteins but instead
regulate gene expression. More than 800 microRNAs have been
identified in the human genome, and over one-third of all human
genes are believed to be regulated by microRNAs. A single
microRNA can regulate entire networks of genes. As such, these
molecules are considered master regulators of the human
genome. microRNA expression, or function, has been shown to
be significantly altered or dysregulated in many disease states,
including oncology, fibrosis, metabolic diseases,
immune-inflammatory diseases and HCV. Targeting microRNAs with
anti-miRs, chemically modified, single-stranded oligonucleotides,
offers a unique approach to treating disease by modulating entire
biological pathways and may become a new and major class of drugs
with broad therapeutic application.
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 therapeutics pipeline, 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. Specifically, Regulus is developing
RG-012, an anti-miR targeting microRNA-21 for the treatment of
Alport syndrome, a life-threatening kidney disease driven by
genetic mutations with no approved therapy, and 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 and a research collaboration with Biogen
Idec focused on microRNA biomarkers. 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.
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SOURCE Regulus Therapeutics Inc.