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Regulus Therapeutics
USINFO | 2013-08-05 11:13
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| Type | Public |
| Industry | Biotechnology |
| Founded | September 2007 (by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ALNY) and Isis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ISIS)) |
| Headquarters | San Diego, California, USA |
| Key people |
Kleanthis G. Xanthopoulos, Ph.D. (President and CEO) Garry E. Menzel, Ph.D. (COO and EVP Finance) Neil W. Gibson, Ph.D. (CSO) |
| Products | microRNA therapeutics |
| Employees | 54 |
| Website | www.regulusrx.com |
Regulus Therapeutics Inc. or Regulus (NASDAQ: RGLS) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of microRNA-based drugs targeting fibrosis, metabolism and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, HCV and immune-related diseases. Regulus was established in September 2007 by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Isis Pharmaceuticals.[1]
microRNA Explained
MicroRNAs are small naturally occurring RNA molecules, typically 20 to 25 nucleotides in length, that do not encode proteins but instead have evolved to regulate gene expression.[2][3]
anti-miR Therapeutics
Anti-miR therapeutics inhibit specific microRNA targets. Animal models showed that modulating microRNAs through anti-miRs effectively regulates biological processes and provides therapeutic benefit to cardiac dysfunction, cancer and hepatitis C virus infection. Administration of anti-miR oligonucleotides is possible through local or parenteral injection.[4]
Strategic Alliances
In April 2008, Regulus and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) entered into a microRNA-focused strategic alliance for the discovery, development and commercialization of novel microRNA-targeted therapeutics to treat inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In February 2010, Regulus and GSK announced a new collaboration to develop and commercialize microRNA therapeutics targeting microRNA-122 (miR-122) for the treatment of hepatitis C (HCV) infection.Most recently, multi-national pharmaceutical giant Sanofi –Aventis awarded Regulus with the largest microRNA partnership to date – targeting fibrosis.[2]
Research Collaborations
Regulus has active collaborations with leading academic researchers from over 30 academic research laboratories globally.[1]
Patents
Regulushas more than 900 patents and patent applications, 600 of which cover the method of use, chemical modification and administration of oligonucleotides to address specific targets.[5]
. BioCentury.
